Catalonia crisis deepens as region’s leader rules out snap election
Madrid/Barcelona — Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont on Thursday ruled out holding a snap regional election to break the deadlock between the central government and separatists seeking a split from Spain, sharpening the political crisis. Puigdemont had been expected to announce an election in order to counter Madrid’s moves to take direct control of autonomous Catalonia. But, speaking in the courtyard of the regional government headquarters in Barcelona, Puigdemont said he had not received sufficient guarantees from the central government that holding an election would prevent the imposition of direct rule. "I was ready to call an election if guarantees were given. There is no guarantee that justifies calling an election today," Puigdemont said. He said it was now up to the Catalan parliament to move forward with a mandate to split from Spain following an independence referendum that took place on October 1 — an event Madrid had declared illegal and tried to stop. Puigdemont’s stand ...
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