barcelona/madrid catalan leader carles puigdemont keep friends foes guess wednesday whether intend unilaterally declare independence spanish government prepare impose direct rule stop region break away puigdemont spurn invitation explain position senate madrid thursday indication rigid stand take side spain grave political crisis since end franco dictatorship 1975. also keep silence whether call new regional election move might prompt madrid government postpone plan take catalonia institutions police next days could prove crucial battle will follow independence referendum oct. madrid declare illegal catalan government say endorse claim statehood clear central government take practical term catalan civil servants police react independence supporters threaten campaign civil disobedience raise possibility ugly confrontations catalan secessionist drive serious existential challenge western european country since scottish independence referendum 2014 voters end decide stay part unite kingdom cause deep resentment elsewhere spain cause flight business wealthy region worry european leaders see fan separatist sentiment elsewhere continent madrid reject puigdemont call dialogue resolve situation say first must withdraw ambiguous declaration independence make early month invite address senate thursday however late wednesday catalan leader turn offer spokesman regional government say ground madrid already announce plan impose direct control autonomous region senate expect give green light friday morning still unclear puigdemont would make unilateral declaration independence give opposition madrid government well european leaders would merely symbolic also air whether would call snap regional election something senior catalan politician say tuesday consider could still friday senate strip power impose direct rule spanish political business leaders along catalan newspapers back idea snap election could forestall direct rule help break deadlock call election could also either strengthen puigdemont mandate pro-independence party allow graceful exit opinion poll publish el periodico newspaper sunday show snap election would probably result similar last ballot 2015 coalition pro-independence party form minority government actual step enforce direct rule could take gradually order inflame situation catalonia say monday confident officials include police would defy attempt madrid take institutions analyst antonio barroso teneo intelligence say puigdemont catch radicals moderate catalan establishment radical elements want make catalan parliament declare independence unilaterally thursday friday would provoke tough government reaction play hand say moderate voice say call early election could stop imposition direct rule side engage game tag blame happen next barroso say crisis catalan independence near crucial days