madrid catalan leader carles puigdemont 10:00 a.m. local 0800 gmt monday clarify whether call region independence spain madrid threaten return direct rule stance remain ambiguous wealthy region threat break away follow referendum spain constitutional court say illegal plunge spain bad political crisis since attempt military coup 1981 six years death dictator francisco franco puigdemont make symbolic declaration independence last tuesday suspend second late call negotiations madrid region future spain prime minister mariano rajoy give monday deadline clarify position thursday change mind insist split say madrid would suspend catalonia autonomy choose independence spanish government say puigdemont answer formal requirement simple yes ambiguous response would consider confirmation declaration independence make would trigger article 155 1978 constitution government madrid install direct rule spain 17 autonomous communities break law central government sack local administration install new govern team take control police finance call snap election source close catalan government say puigdemont would send rajoy letter deadline expire although decline say answer would local media include catalan public broadcaster tv-3 barcelona-based newspaper la vanguardia say sunday puigdemont unlikely say clearly whether declare independence send instead elaborate response puigdemont consult local party prepare answer face dilemma say proclaim independence central government step say far-left catalan party cup would probably withdraw support minority government catalan government say 90 percent catalans vote breakaway oct. referendum central authorities madrid declare illegal opponents independence boycott reduce turnout around 43 percent puigdemont say sunday answer would inspire democracy something political observers spain say sign would push ahead secession plan case article 155 invoke rajoy would replace catalan government new set-up manage region could run politicians technocrats madrid-based newspaper el mundo report sunday elections catalan parliament would hold within three months deadline near catalan leader clarify independence stance