Catalonia Crisis: Five-day ultimatum unlikely to solve gridlock between Puigdemont and Rajoy

After having a consultation with the Cabinet, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy issued a five-day deadline to the Catalan Independence leader Carles Puigdemont on Wednesday to clarify his position on Independence. It has been cleared that his decision and communication will not only decide his future but the regions as the Spanish government stands ready to use Article 155. Article 155 of the Spanish constitution gives power to the Madrid government to dissolve Catalonia’s autonomy. The article has never been used.

On Tuesday, Mr. Puigdemont signed the Declaration of Independence in a parliamentary session but suspended it from becoming effective and called for negotiations with Madrid government headed by Rajoy.

Rajoy, whose government came under International criticism over its use of violent force on the referendum day that injured around 900 people including women and old, remains defiant to this end. Lawyers, civil society groups and politicians in Catalonia and elsewhere in Spain have offered to mediate between the two sides, but the prime minister rejected the offers. He said he refused to engage in dialogue with a disobeying Catalan government.

While Rajoy wants Puigdemont to drop Independence bid before coming to the negotiating table, Puigdemont maintained his stance of no pre-condition negotiations with Madrid and the current 5-day ultimatum is unlikely to break the gridlock.