Shropshire Star

Catalan leader attacks Spanish PM’s move to dissolve regional government

His comments were a veiled threat to push ahead with an independence declaration.

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Catalan leader attacks Spanish PM's move to dissolve regional government

Mr Puigdemont wants the regional parliament to debate and vote on how to respond to what he called the Spanish government’s “attempt to wipe out” Catalonia’s autonomy.

In a televised address late on Saturday, he called plans by Mr Rajoy to replace him and his cabinet an “attempt to humiliate” Catalonia and an “attack on democracy”.

His comments were a veiled threat to push ahead with an independence declaration for the prosperous region in north-eastern Spain.

Mariano Rajoy's government is activating a previously untapped constitutional article to take control of Catalonia (Paul White/AP)
Mariano Rajoy’s government is activating a previously untapped constitutional article to take control of Catalonia (Paul White/AP)

They came after he joined a large protest in Barcelona on Saturday where many were aghast at the plans announced earlier in the day by Mr Rajoy.

Mr Puigdemont called Mr Rajoy’s move the “the worst attack” on Catalan people and institutions since General Francisco Franco abolished Catalonia’s regional government in 1939.

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