Spain PM dissolves Catalan parliament

Move follows declaration of Catalan independence

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy yesterday said he had dissolved the Catalan parliament and called regional elections on December 21 under sweeping powers approved by the Senate to stop a secessionist movement in Catalonia, report agencies. The prime minister said the unprecedented imposition of direct rule on Catalonia was essential to "recover normality" in the region. He had also removed Catalonia's separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and his executive from office after the Catalan parliament voted to declare independence earlier yesterday.

Rajoy made the announcement following a frantic day of developments in the row over Catalan independence. The Spanish Senate granted Rajoy's government the constitutional power to suspend Catalan autonomy, and after a cabinet meeting Rajoy spelled out what that would entail.

Promising "free, clean and legal" elections, he called the situation "sad", saying: "We never wanted to come to this."

The elections are scheduled for 21 December. Rajoy also announced the sacking of the Catalan police chief.

After the Catalan parliament voted to declare independence, thousands took to the streets to celebrate. Separatists say the move means they no longer fall under Spanish jurisdiction. But the Spanish Constitutional Court is likely to declare it illegal, while the EU, the US, the UK, Germany and France all expressed support for Spanish unity.

The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region, reports BBC. Catalan MPs backed the motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return "law, democracy and stability" to Catalonia. The crisis began when Catalans backed independence in a disputed vote earlier this month.

The Catalan government said that of the 43 per cent of potential voters who took part in the referendum, 90 per cent were in favour of independence. But Spain's Constitutional Court had ruled the vote illegal.

On Thursday Catalan President Carles Puigdemont opted against declaring independence or calling early elections, instead calling on MPs to decide. A motion declaring independence was approved on Friday with 70 in favour, 10 against, and two abstentions in the 135-seat chamber.

The measure calls for the transfer of legal powers from Spain to an independent Catalonia. But the Spanish Constitutional Court is likely to declare it illegal, and few in the international community will recognise Catalan statehood.

Puigdemont has called for supporters to "maintain the momentum" in a peaceful manner. Soon after the vote at the regional parliament, the Senate - Spain's upper house - made the unprecedented step of approving measures allowing the Spanish government to impose direct rule over Catalonia.

There were 214 votes in favour and 47 against. Promising to restore the rule of law to Catalonia, Rajoy said "over 40 years Spain has become [an] economic power and Catalonia will not destroy that". He will hold a cabinet meeting shortly to decide what measures to take.

It could include the firing of Catalan leaders, and the Spanish government taking control of the region's finances, police and publicly owned media. After the 1 October referendum, Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence but delayed implementation to allow talks with the Spanish government.

 

Spain PM dissolves Catalan parliament

Move follows declaration of Catalan independence

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy yesterday said he had dissolved the Catalan parliament and called regional elections on December 21 under sweeping powers approved by the Senate to stop a secessionist movement in Catalonia, report agencies. The prime minister said the unprecedented imposition of direct rule on Catalonia was essential to recover normality in the region. He had also removed Catalonias separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and his executive from office after the Catalan parliament voted to declare independence earlier yesterday. Rajoy made the announcement following a frantic day of developments in the row over Catalan independence. The Spanish Senate granted Rajoys government the constitutional power to suspend Catalan autonomy, and after a cabinet meeting Rajoy spelled out what that would entail. Promising free, clean and legal elections, he called the situation sad, saying: We never wanted to come to this. The elections are scheduled for 21 December. Rajoy also announced the sacking of the Catalan police chief. After the Catalan parliament voted to declare independence, thousands took to the streets to celebrate. Separatists say the move means they no longer fall under Spanish jurisdiction. But the Spanish Constitutional Court is likely to declare it illegal, while the EU, the US, the UK, Germany and France all expressed support for Spanish unity. The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region, reports BBC. Catalan MPs backed the motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return law, democracy and stability to Catalonia. The crisis began when Catalans backed independence in a disputed vote earlier this month. The Catalan government said that of the 43 per cent of potential voters who took part in the referendum, 90 per cent were in favour of independence. But Spains Constitutional Court had ruled the vote illegal. On Thursday Catalan President Carles Puigdemont opted against declaring independence or calling early elections, instead calling on MPs to decide. A motion declaring independence was approved on Friday with 70 in favour, 10 against, and two abstentions in the 135-seat chamber. The measure calls for the transfer of legal powers from Spain to an independent Catalonia. But the Spanish Constitutional Court is likely to declare it illegal, and few in the international community will recognise Catalan statehood. Puigdemont has called for supporters to maintain the momentum in a peaceful manner. Soon after the vote at the regional parliament, the Senate - Spains upper house - made the unprecedented step of approving measures allowing the Spanish government to impose direct rule over Catalonia. There were 214 votes in favour and 47 against. Promising to restore the rule of law to Catalonia, Rajoy said over 40 years Spain has become [an] economic power and Catalonia will not destroy that. He will hold a cabinet meeting shortly to decide what measures to take. It could include the firing of Catalan leaders, and the Spanish government taking control of the regions finances, police and publicly owned media. After the 1 October referendum, Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence but delayed implementation to allow talks with the Spanish government.