Catalonia declared independence

The Catalan Parliament, by secret vote by each deputy, decided to largely activate the declaration of independence and declare the Catalan Republic.

The El Periodico Diary, released in Barcelona on the cover, has already stated today the "One-sided Declaration of Independence and Goodbye". In front of the praline building in Barcelona, crowds gathered for independence.

At the same time in Madrid at the session of the Senate where the People's Party of Prime Minister Marianne Rajoy has an absolute majority, there is a debate and, in all likelihood, the outcome of the vote on suspending Catalonia's autonomy is predictable

Rajoy called for calm and said that the law and order would be introduced in Catalonia. What is unpredictable is that the application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution will reflect on the functioning of the regional administration, and how Catalans will react. Many say they are ready for civil disobedience. Many will go out on the streets, as has happened in the past days - those who oppose independence, but also those who are for separation from Spain.

After ruling in the Senate, Rajoy is expected to agree with his cabinet the first measures on direct administration over Catalonia. It includes the dissolution of the government in Barcelona, the presidents and vice-presidents, and direct supervision of Catalan police forces, finance and the public media.

"In my opinion there is no alternative. In a situation like this, the only thing we can and what we need to do is apply the law. That's why we have Article 155 of the Constitution. The first thing I will suggest is holding elections in Catalonia. We will disperse the Catalan parliament and the government, and the Spanish government will be in charge of calling elections within a maximum of six months. My intention is to keep them as soon as possible, "Rajoy told the Senate.

Rajoy accused the Catalan government of dividing the family and society itself. Many are already suffering because uncertainty has taken many jobs outside of the region.

On Thursday, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont dismissed the possibility of calling early elections and said the decision on further steps would be taken by a parliament mandated to break ties with Madrid on the basis of the October 1 referendum on independence.

Recall that 43 percent of Catalans responded to the referendum, and those who opposed independence boycotted it. Madrid's referendum was declared illegal, and special police forces tried to prevent the referendum by using excessive force.

In Catalonia, 16% of Spanish citizens live, 25% of Spanish exports come from Catalonia; this region accounts for 19% of Spain's GDP.

Analysts have warned that this is the worst crisis in Spain since the death of dictator Francis Franck 42 years ago, when the countries embarked on a democratic path.

• 27 Oct, 2017
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