Backers and opponents of independence in Catalonia have clashed in parliament over the way forward as the Spanish government is set to reassert control.
The debate began after Catalan President Carles Puigdemont did not reveal a favoured course of action, and called on MPs to decide on a response.
On Friday Spain's Senate is expected to curtail the region's autonomous powers.
The move follows Catalonia's independence referendum, which Spain's Constitutional Court declared illegal.
Mr Puigdemont declared independence after the 1 October vote. But he immediately suspended implementation, calling for talks.
The Catalan government said that of the 43 per cent who took part in the referendum, 90 per cent were in favour of independence.
Many people gathered in Barcelona on Thursday hoping Mr Puigdemont would declare independence. But there has also been speculation that he might call regional elections in an effort to avoid rule from Madrid.
However Mr Puigdemont did neither. "I have been prepared to call elections, as long as guarantees are given," he said.
He added that Spain's governing Popular Party had not given such assurances - without giving any details.