Spanish PM Rajoy rejects dialogue with Catalan government, opens door to constitutional reform

Spanish Prime Minister (PM) Mariano Rajoy is addressing parliament following Catalonia’s suspended declaration of independence.

The speech, which began at 4pm CEST, comes just hours after Rajoy asked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont for more clarity on his declaration.

Speaking after an extraordinary meeting of the Spanish government in Madrid, the prime minister accused Puigdemont of creating “deliberate confusion” and said he wanted to discern “whether they (Catalan leaders) have or will make an independence declaration” before taking further measures.

Concerning article 155, a constitutional clause which would allow Madrid to enforce direct rule, Rajoy said his government would base its response on an answer from Catalonia.

Puigdemont made a highly-anticipated address to Catalonia’s parliament on Tuesday evening (October 10) in which he announced independence but said it would not be implemented immediately, allowing for talks with the national government in Madrid.

SOURCE: euronews
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