Spain imposes direct rule after Catalonia votes to declare independence | World news | The Guardian - Sam Jones, Stephen Burgen, & Emma Graham-Harrison: :
October 27, 2017 - "Spain’s national unity suffered a decisive blow on Friday afternoon when Catalan MPs in the 135-seat regional parliament voted for independence by a margin of 70 votes to 10. Dozens of opposition MPs boycotted the secret ballot, marching out of the chamber in Barcelona before it took place and leaving Spanish and Catalan flags on their empty seats in protest.
"Minutes later in Madrid, the Spanish senate granted unprecedented powers to the country’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to impose direct rule on Catalonia under article 155 of the constitution. The article, which has never been used, allows Rajoy to sack the Catalan government ... and assume control of Catalonia’s civil service, police, finances and public media. It will also pave the way for new regional elections within six months.
"The European Union, the UK, Germany and the United States all said they would not recognise Catalan independence and expressed support for Madrid....
"Rajoy’s cabinet was due to enact the measures after an emergency cabinet meeting on Friday evening and is expected to appeal against the independence declaration in the Spanish constitutional court. Prosecutors will also file charges of 'rebellion' against [Catalan president Carles] Puigdemont, a crime punishable with up to 30 years in jail....
"Much will now depend on how the Spanish government goes about removing Catalan officials from office and how pro-independence activists and the regional police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, react to the intervention....
"Puigdemont called for a peaceful response to the coming crackdown. 'In the days ahead, we must keep to our values of pacificism and dignity,' he said.... Although the Catalan leader signed a declaration of independence on 10 October, he proposed its effects be suspended for two months to allow for dialogue with Madrid....
"Friday, Rajoy had appeared before the upper house of the Spanish parliament to request authorisation for the government’s use of article 155. He told senators that Puigdemont’s decision to flout the Spanish constitution by staging the independence referendum had forced the central government to take the unprecedented step of imposing direct rule."
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/27/spanish-pm-mariano-rajoy-asks-senate-powers-dismiss-catalonia-president 'via Blog this'
October 27, 2017 - "Spain’s national unity suffered a decisive blow on Friday afternoon when Catalan MPs in the 135-seat regional parliament voted for independence by a margin of 70 votes to 10. Dozens of opposition MPs boycotted the secret ballot, marching out of the chamber in Barcelona before it took place and leaving Spanish and Catalan flags on their empty seats in protest.
"Minutes later in Madrid, the Spanish senate granted unprecedented powers to the country’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, to impose direct rule on Catalonia under article 155 of the constitution. The article, which has never been used, allows Rajoy to sack the Catalan government ... and assume control of Catalonia’s civil service, police, finances and public media. It will also pave the way for new regional elections within six months.
"The European Union, the UK, Germany and the United States all said they would not recognise Catalan independence and expressed support for Madrid....
"Rajoy’s cabinet was due to enact the measures after an emergency cabinet meeting on Friday evening and is expected to appeal against the independence declaration in the Spanish constitutional court. Prosecutors will also file charges of 'rebellion' against [Catalan president Carles] Puigdemont, a crime punishable with up to 30 years in jail....
"Much will now depend on how the Spanish government goes about removing Catalan officials from office and how pro-independence activists and the regional police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, react to the intervention....
"Puigdemont called for a peaceful response to the coming crackdown. 'In the days ahead, we must keep to our values of pacificism and dignity,' he said.... Although the Catalan leader signed a declaration of independence on 10 October, he proposed its effects be suspended for two months to allow for dialogue with Madrid....
"Friday, Rajoy had appeared before the upper house of the Spanish parliament to request authorisation for the government’s use of article 155. He told senators that Puigdemont’s decision to flout the Spanish constitution by staging the independence referendum had forced the central government to take the unprecedented step of imposing direct rule."
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/27/spanish-pm-mariano-rajoy-asks-senate-powers-dismiss-catalonia-president 'via Blog this'
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