In an unprecedented move since Spain returned to democracy in the late 1970s, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will impose direct rule in Catalonia unless the region's leader, Carles Puigdemont, retracts by 4 a.m. Puigdemont told members of his Catalan Democratic Party on Wednesday night that he would not back down and would press ahead with a more formal declaration of independence if Rajoy suspends Catalonia's political autonomy. Earlier on Wednesday, Rajoy urged Puigdemont to "act sensibly" and scrap the bid or risk direct rule. Rajoy urged Puigdemont to 'act sensibly' and scrap the independence bid or risk direct rule. (Juan Medina/Reuters)A central government source later said Madrid viewed a formal independence declaration as "unacceptable blackmail".

Source: CBC News October 19, 2017 00:45 UTC