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Spain prepares to seize powers from Catalonia Spain government expected to impose direct rule over Catalonia
(about 3 hours later)
The Spanish government is set to take unprecedented steps to seize powers from Catalonia’s separatist government after Madrid won backing from the king and the EU in its battle to keep the country together. The Spanish government is holding a special cabinet meeting to approve the withdrawal of devolved powers from Catalonia’s separatist government in the wake of the region’s efforts to unilaterally declare independence.
The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, was meeting his cabinet at 10am (9am BST) on Saturday to set out the specific powers that will be removed from the wealthy north-east region, which enjoys wide autonomy, including control over its own policing, education and healthcare. The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, was meeting his cabinet on Saturday morning to set out the extent of the powers that will be removed from the wealthy north-east region, which enjoys wide autonomy, including control over its own policing, education and healthcare.
The measures, which take the country into uncharted legal waters, come after King Felipe VI criticised what he said was an “unacceptable secession attempt”. He said the crisis sparked by the region’s banned 1 October independence referendum must be resolved “through legitimate democratic institutions. We do not want to give up that which we have built together.”The measures, which take the country into uncharted legal waters, come after King Felipe VI criticised what he said was an “unacceptable secession attempt”. He said the crisis sparked by the region’s banned 1 October independence referendum must be resolved “through legitimate democratic institutions. We do not want to give up that which we have built together.”
Madrid has constitutional powers to retake control of rebellious regions, but has never used them.Madrid has constitutional powers to retake control of rebellious regions, but has never used them.
Autonomy is a highly sensitive issue in semi-autonomous Catalonia, which lost its powers under Spain’s military dictatorship. Home to 7.5 million people, the region fiercely defends its language and culture.Autonomy is a highly sensitive issue in semi-autonomous Catalonia, which lost its powers under Spain’s military dictatorship. Home to 7.5 million people, the region fiercely defends its language and culture.
There are fears of unrest if Madrid seeks to impose direct rule of any kind, and the Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, has said such a move could push regional politicians to declare unilateral independence.There are fears of unrest if Madrid seeks to impose direct rule of any kind, and the Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, has said such a move could push regional politicians to declare unilateral independence.
Rajoy said on Friday that Spain had reached a “critical point” after weeks of political limbo and that his government had to act to stop the rule of law being “liquidated”.Rajoy said on Friday that Spain had reached a “critical point” after weeks of political limbo and that his government had to act to stop the rule of law being “liquidated”.
The prime minister is likely to announce plans to take control of Catalonia’s 16,000-strong police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, whose leader, Josep Lluis Trapero, could face up to 15 years in jail on sedition charges for failing to contain separatist protests before the referendum.The prime minister is likely to announce plans to take control of Catalonia’s 16,000-strong police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, whose leader, Josep Lluis Trapero, could face up to 15 years in jail on sedition charges for failing to contain separatist protests before the referendum.
Madrid could also seek to force new elections – its preferred solution to Spain’s most protracted political crisis since its return to democracy in 1977 – as early as January.Madrid could also seek to force new elections – its preferred solution to Spain’s most protracted political crisis since its return to democracy in 1977 – as early as January.
Rajoy is due to hold a press conference on Saturday afternoon to announce his plans, which must pass through the Senate where his conservative People’s party holds a majority. That process would take about a week.Rajoy is due to hold a press conference on Saturday afternoon to announce his plans, which must pass through the Senate where his conservative People’s party holds a majority. That process would take about a week.
As tensions remain high, independence supporters are expected to rally in Barcelona on Saturday night to call for the release of Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez. The leaders of two powerful grassroots separatist groups have been in jail since Monday, pending investigation into sedition charges.As tensions remain high, independence supporters are expected to rally in Barcelona on Saturday night to call for the release of Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez. The leaders of two powerful grassroots separatist groups have been in jail since Monday, pending investigation into sedition charges.
Puigdemont has said he has a mandate to declare independence after the referendum, which his administration says resulted in a 90% yes vote. Turnout for the poll, however, was given as only 43%, with many Catalans who back unity having stayed away. Puigdemont has said he has a mandate to declare independence after the referendum, which his administration says resulted in a 90% yes vote. Turnout for the poll, however, was given as 43%, with many Catalans who back unity having stayed away.
Accounting for about a fifth of Spain’s economic output, Catalonia is evenly split over whether to break away from Spain, according to opinion polls. Supporters say the region does too much to prop up the rest of the national economy and would thrive if it went its own way, but opponents say Catalonia is stronger as part of Spain and that a split would spell economic and political disaster.Accounting for about a fifth of Spain’s economic output, Catalonia is evenly split over whether to break away from Spain, according to opinion polls. Supporters say the region does too much to prop up the rest of the national economy and would thrive if it went its own way, but opponents say Catalonia is stronger as part of Spain and that a split would spell economic and political disaster.
Nearly 1,200 companies have shifted their legal headquarters to other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability.Nearly 1,200 companies have shifted their legal headquarters to other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability.