MADRID, Spain. – The head of the Spanish government, Mariano Rajoy, called the president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont for composure, to avoid imposing drastic measures against that autonomous community, which aims to become a sovereign state.

Rajoy asked Puigdemont again to meet the deadline he gave until tomorrow Thursday, and clarify at once whether or not he declared the independence of that region last week.

The head of the Spanish government asked the conservative secessionist leader to act in balance and put the interest of all citizens ahead of him. Rajoy also warned him that he does not want to be compelled to activate article 155 of the Spanish Constitution.

The eventual application of this precept of the Magna Carta allows Madrid to take the partial or total control of any of its 17 autonomous communities, if they fail to fulfil their obligations.