Catalan leader rules out early election aimed at defusing Spain tension (Report)

People wave Catalan flags in Barcelona Thursday after the regional president’s address.

 (AP Photo/Santi Palacios)

BARCELONA, Spain –  The standoff between Spain and Catalonia over the region’s move to secede approached a crucial juncture Thursday as the pro-independence Catalan leader ruled out calling an early election that some had hoped would defuse tensions with the Spanish government.

In a hastily called address in Barcelona, regional President Carles Puigdemont said he considered calling a snap election, but chose not to because the government did not provide enough assurance that it would suspend what he termed its “abusive” measures to assume control of Catalonia.

“Consequently I can’t organize parliamentary elections,” he said. “There is no guarantee that justifies elections.”

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