Catalonia weighs up declaration of independence
(The Guardian Spain)

Move comes after imposition of direct rule by Madrid - described by Carles Puigdemont as worst attack on institutions since FrancoThe Catalan parliament will meet over the coming days to agree its response to the Spanish government´s unprecedented decision to impose direct rule as speculation mounts that the regional president, Carles Puigdemont, is planning to press ahead with a unilateral declaration of independence.On Saturday night, Puigdemont described Madrid´s move as the worst attack on Catalonia´s institutions since General Franco´s dictatorship and accused the Spanish government of `slamming the door` on his appeals for dialogue to resolve the country´s worst political crisis since its return to democracy 40 years ago.The Spanish government argues that any referendum on Catalan independence would be illegal because the country´s 1978 constitution makes no provision for a vote on self-determination. Continue reading...