Yesterday Catalan President Puigdemont, shortly before the deadline expired to withdraw his pledge for an independent Catalonia and return to the rule of law as set out by the Spanish courts, notified Madrid and President Rajoy that if the Spanish government will push ahead with the triggering of Article 155 and the suspension of Catalan autonomy then he will declare unilateral independence. President Rajoy called for a special session in the Senate for Saturday in order to talk with the opposition party about steps required to trigger Article 155.
