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| Spain expected to impose Catalonia direct rule | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Spanish government is holding a special cabinet meeting to approve measures to take direct control of the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia. | |
| The meeting comes almost three weeks after the region held a controversial independence referendum, which was ruled illegal by the supreme court. | The meeting comes almost three weeks after the region held a controversial independence referendum, which was ruled illegal by the supreme court. |
| Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont argues that the referendum result gave him a mandate to pursue independence. | Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont argues that the referendum result gave him a mandate to pursue independence. |
| But Spain's government disagrees and is preparing to take back power. | But Spain's government disagrees and is preparing to take back power. |
| How did we get here? | How did we get here? |
| Catalonia's regional government held a referendum on 1 October to ask residents of the region if they wanted to break away from Spain. | Catalonia's regional government held a referendum on 1 October to ask residents of the region if they wanted to break away from Spain. |
| Of the 43% of Catalans said to have taken part, 90% voted in favour of independence. But many anti-independence supporters boycotted the ballot, arguing it was not valid. | Of the 43% of Catalans said to have taken part, 90% voted in favour of independence. But many anti-independence supporters boycotted the ballot, arguing it was not valid. |
| Mr Puigdemont and other regional leaders then signed a declaration of independence, but immediately suspended it in order to allow for talks. | Mr Puigdemont and other regional leaders then signed a declaration of independence, but immediately suspended it in order to allow for talks. |
| He then defied two deadlines set by the national government to clarify Catalonia's position, and the government announced it would pursue Article 155. | He then defied two deadlines set by the national government to clarify Catalonia's position, and the government announced it would pursue Article 155. |
| What is Article 155? | What is Article 155? |
| Article 155 of the Spanish constitution allows the national government to impose direct rule over Spain's semi-autonomous regions in the event of a crisis. It has never before been invoked in democratic Spain. | Article 155 of the Spanish constitution allows the national government to impose direct rule over Spain's semi-autonomous regions in the event of a crisis. It has never before been invoked in democratic Spain. |
| It says that if a region's government "acts in a way that seriously threatens the general interest of Spain", Madrid can "take necessary measures to oblige it forcibly to comply". | It says that if a region's government "acts in a way that seriously threatens the general interest of Spain", Madrid can "take necessary measures to oblige it forcibly to comply". |
| Catalonia currently enjoys significant autonomy from Spain, including control over its own policing, education and healthcare. | Catalonia currently enjoys significant autonomy from Spain, including control over its own policing, education and healthcare. |
| But the Spanish cabinet is now expected to recommend dissolving Catalonia's government and holding elections in January, as well as taking control of the region's 16,000-strong police force. | But the Spanish cabinet is now expected to recommend dissolving Catalonia's government and holding elections in January, as well as taking control of the region's 16,000-strong police force. |
| After Saturday's cabinet meeting, the steps will be debated by a Senate committee before a final vote. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) holds a majority in the Senate, meaning the proposals are likely to pass. | After Saturday's cabinet meeting, the steps will be debated by a Senate committee before a final vote. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) holds a majority in the Senate, meaning the proposals are likely to pass. |
| What are the economic arguments? | What are the economic arguments? |
| Catalonia accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output, and supporters of independence say the region contributes too much to the national economy. | Catalonia accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output, and supporters of independence say the region contributes too much to the national economy. |
| Opponents argue that Catalonia is stronger as a part of Spain, and that breaking away would lead to economic disaster for the country as a whole. | Opponents argue that Catalonia is stronger as a part of Spain, and that breaking away would lead to economic disaster for the country as a whole. |
| Nearly 1,200 companies based in Catalonia have re-registered in other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability, according to the AFP news agency. | Nearly 1,200 companies based in Catalonia have re-registered in other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability, according to the AFP news agency. |
| And Spain this week cut its national growth forecast for 2018 from 2.6% to 2.3%, blaming uncertainty over the future of Catalan independence. | And Spain this week cut its national growth forecast for 2018 from 2.6% to 2.3%, blaming uncertainty over the future of Catalan independence. |
| Could Spain's steps backfire? | Could Spain's steps backfire? |
| James Badcock, BBC News, Madrid | James Badcock, BBC News, Madrid |
| The dissolution of Catalonia's parliament and the holding of snap regional elections may appear to offer a way of defusing today's state of extreme tension, but there are plenty of reasons to doubt that such a strategy would provide a clear solution to the crisis. | The dissolution of Catalonia's parliament and the holding of snap regional elections may appear to offer a way of defusing today's state of extreme tension, but there are plenty of reasons to doubt that such a strategy would provide a clear solution to the crisis. |
| The far-left CUP party has suggested that it would boycott any election imposed on the region. Other pro-independence forces might do the same. Massive street protests against any form of direct rule from Madrid can also be expected. | The far-left CUP party has suggested that it would boycott any election imposed on the region. Other pro-independence forces might do the same. Massive street protests against any form of direct rule from Madrid can also be expected. |
| Mr Puigdemont has promised to call a formal vote on independence in Catalonia's parliament if Article 155 is invoked. If such a declaration were approved, the pro-independence forces could style the ballot as the election of a constituent assembly for a new republic, the next stage laid down in the pro-independence road map. | Mr Puigdemont has promised to call a formal vote on independence in Catalonia's parliament if Article 155 is invoked. If such a declaration were approved, the pro-independence forces could style the ballot as the election of a constituent assembly for a new republic, the next stage laid down in the pro-independence road map. |
| Assuming the participation of all parties, voters would be bound to interpret the election as a de facto vote on independence. If a separatist majority emerged once again, it is hard to see how the conflict could be considered closed. | Assuming the participation of all parties, voters would be bound to interpret the election as a de facto vote on independence. If a separatist majority emerged once again, it is hard to see how the conflict could be considered closed. |