Spain pressured Catalan separatist leaders to abandon their independence drive on Tuesday as radical pro-secessionists prepared plans for a campaign of “mass civil disobedience”. Based on the outcome, Catalonia’s conservative regional president Carles Puigdemont initially threatened a unilateral declaration of independence. “If he responds by reiterating his positions on Catalan independence… unfortunately we cannot but apply the measures foreseen by the government,” said Catala. The Article 155 measures would come into effect once published in the government gazette on Saturday, effectively ousting Puigdemont and his team. Catalonia’s separatist parties intend to hold a special session of the regional parliament for Thursday to decide how to respond.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 24, 2017 12:22 UTC