Catalonia independence: Puigdemont ‘will not accept’ Rajoy plan
Image copyright AFP/Getty Image caption Mr Puigdemont said Madrid had refused offers of dialogue
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont says Catalonia will not accept Madrid’s plan to curb the region’s autonomy.
In a statement, he described the imposition of direct rule as the worst attack on Catalonia’s institutions since the Franco dictatorship.
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy’s plans include the removal of Catalonia’s leaders, and curbs on its parliament.
It follows the independence referendum that went ahead despite being banned by Spain’s Constitutional Court.
Mr Puigdemont said the Spanish government was acting against the democratic will of Catalans after refusing all offers of dialogue.
He said he would call for a session in the Catalan parliament to debate a response to Mr Rajoy’s plans.
Addressing European citizens in English, he added that the European Union’s founding values were “at risk in Catalonia”.
