Spain gives Catalan President new deadline to clarify independence bid

The Spanish government on Monday gave Catalonia's leader three extra days to formally declare whether his region will seek independence -- a prospect that has been in limbo since last week.


Initially, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont was given a Monday deadline to clear up last week's announcement regarding the region's referendum vote, in which citizens favored breaking away from the government in Madrid. A statement by Puigdemont Monday, though, did not satisfy Spanish leaders.

In his response to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Puigdemont didn't directly address whether or not he declared independence last Wednesday. Puigdemont instead offered two months of dialogue.
 [upi.com]
 16/10/17