Spain expected to impose direct rule on Catalonia
1 min read
The Spanish government is likely to today approve measures to take direct control over Catalonia, as the region’s campaign for independence continues.
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy will meet his cabinet, three weeks after Catalans voted in a referendum the central government says was illegal. Of the 43% of Catalans who reportedly voted on October 1, 90% were in favour of independence.
Mr Rajoy’s government will trigger Article 155 of the country’s constitution for the first time. It may also take control of the region’s police.
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and other regional leaders followed the referendum by signing a declaration of independence, but then suspended it to begin talks with the government.
The central government responded with a demand to know if Catalonia had declared independence – and deadlines to confirm it. Those deadlines have both passed.
Spain’s socialist party has said regional elections will take place, but this has not yet been confirmed by Mr Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party.
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