Spain's Rajoy Says 'Critical Point' Reached in Catalonia

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Friday his government has reached a "critical point" as it seeks to stop Catalonia's bid for independence.

EU leaders at a summit in Brussels closed ranks in support of Rajoy's conservative government as it deals with Spain's biggest political crisis in decades.

Madrid is preparing to seize powers from the separatist government in semi-autonomous Catalonia following a banned October 1 referendum on splitting from Spain.

"We have reached a critical point," Rajoy told a press conference following the summit in Brussels. "We have tried by all means to avoid a difficult situation."

"But you will understand it is difficult for a country, for an EU government, to see... the rule of law being liquidated," he said.

Rajoy's cabinet is due to meet Saturday to decide which powers to seize from Catalonia, which controls its own healthcare, education and policing. 

Political parties are pushing for elections as a way out of the standoff.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has warned any move to seize powers could push regional lawmakers to declare unilateral independence following the referendum, which was marred by clashes between police and voters.

At a working dinner between EU leaders on Thursday, Rajoy turned down the chance to talk about Catalonia, which was not on the official agenda, when asked by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"Rajoy looked at Merkel and said no with his head," a diplomatic source said.

The EU has consistently said it regards the Catalan crisis as an internal matter for Spain and backed Rajoy's handling of it, while calling for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.