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Catalonia independence: Puigdemont 'will not accept' Rajoy plan Catalonia independence: Puigdemont 'will not accept' Rajoy plan
(about 9 hours later)
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont says Catalonia will not accept Madrid's plan to impose direct rule on the region. The Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, says the region will not accept Madrid's plan for direct rule.
He described it as the worst attack on Catalonia's institutions since General Franco's 1939-1975 dictatorship, under which regional autonomy was dissolved.He described it as the worst attack on Catalonia's institutions since General Franco's 1939-1975 dictatorship, under which regional autonomy was dissolved.
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy's plans include the removal of Catalonia's leaders and curbs on its parliament. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's plans include the removal of Catalonia's leaders and curbs on its parliament.
It follows the independence referendum that went ahead despite being banned by Spain's Constitutional Court. An independence referendum went ahead on 1 October despite being banned by Spain's Constitutional Court.
Mr Puigdemont said the Spanish government was acting against the democratic will of Catalans after refusing all offers of dialogue.Mr Puigdemont said the Spanish government was acting against the democratic will of Catalans after refusing all offers of dialogue.
He said he would call for a session in the Catalan parliament to debate a response to Mr Rajoy's plans. He said he would call for a session of the Catalan parliament to debate a response to Mr Rajoy's plans.
Addressing European citizens in English, he added that the European Union's founding values were "at risk in Catalonia". Addressing European citizens in English, he added that the EU's founding values were "at risk" in Catalonia.
What is the Spanish government planning?What is the Spanish government planning?
Earlier Mr Rajoy said he was triggering article 155 of the Spanish constitution, which allows for direct rule to be imposed in a crisis on any of the country's semi-autonomous regions. Earlier Mr Rajoy said he was triggering Article 155 of the constitution, which allows for direct rule to be imposed in a crisis on any of the country's autonomous regions.
Speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday, Mr Rajoy stopped short of dissolving the region's parliament but put forward plans for elections. Speaking after an emergency cabinet meeting, Mr Rajoy stopped short of dissolving the region's parliament but put forward plans for elections.
He insisted that the measures would not mean Catalan self-government itself was being suspended - instead, he said, the plan was to remove those people who had "taken self-government outside the law and the constitution". He insisted the measures would not mean Catalan self-government itself was being suspended. Instead, he said, the plan was to remove those people who had "taken self-government outside the law and the constitution".
The measures, which are supported by opposition parties, must now be approved by Spain's Senate in the next few days. The measures, which are supported by opposition parties, must now be approved by the Senate in the next few days.
Reports say that Spain's interior ministry is preparing take control of Catalonia's Mossos d'Esquadra police force and remove its commander Josep Lluís Trapero, who is already facing sedition charges. Reports say Spain's interior ministry is preparing take control of Catalonia's Mossos d'Esquadra police force and remove its commander, Josep Lluís Trapero, who is already facing sedition charges.
The government is also considering taking control of Catalonia's public broadcaster TV3, El País newspaper reported. The government is also considering taking control of Catalonia's public broadcaster TV3, El País newspaper reports (in Spanish).
What other reaction has there been?What other reaction has there been?
The use of article 155 has sparked widespread criticism in Catalonia, where many say it amounts to a suspension of the region's powers of self-government. The use of Article 155 has sparked widespread criticism in Catalonia, where many say it amounts to a suspension of the region's powers of self-government.
The Speaker of the Catalan Parliament, Carme Forcadell, called the measures a "de facto coup d'etat".The Speaker of the Catalan Parliament, Carme Forcadell, called the measures a "de facto coup d'etat".
"It is an authoritarian coup inside a member state of the European Union," she said, adding that Mr Rajoy intended to "put an end to a democratically elected government"."It is an authoritarian coup inside a member state of the European Union," she said, adding that Mr Rajoy intended to "put an end to a democratically elected government".
Catalan Vice-President Oriol Junqueras said Mr Rajoy and his allies had "not just suspended autonomy. They have suspended democracy".Catalan Vice-President Oriol Junqueras said Mr Rajoy and his allies had "not just suspended autonomy. They have suspended democracy".
Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau said it was a "serious attack on the rights and freedoms of all, both here and elsewhere".Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau said it was a "serious attack on the rights and freedoms of all, both here and elsewhere".
Iñigo Urkullu, the president of the government in Spain's semi-autonomous Basque region, said using article 155 was "extreme and disproportionate". Iñigo Urkullu, the president of the government in Spain's semi-autonomous Basque region, said using Article 155 was "extreme and disproportionate".
However Inés Arrimadas, head of the centrist Ciudadanos party in Catalonia which is against independence, said holding fresh elections would "restore goodwill and democracy" in the region.However Inés Arrimadas, head of the centrist Ciudadanos party in Catalonia which is against independence, said holding fresh elections would "restore goodwill and democracy" in the region.
Solution or provocation?Solution or provocation?
Guy Hedgecoe, BBC News, MadridGuy Hedgecoe, BBC News, Madrid
Mariano Rajoy's use of Article 155 had been widely anticipated, but his announcement when it came still had a huge impact. The article has never been invoked before, so there was a certain amount of mystery surrounding its potential reach and meaning. Mariano Rajoy's use of Article 155 had been widely anticipated but his announcement when it came still had a huge impact. The article has never been invoked before, so there was a certain amount of mystery surrounding its potential reach and meaning.
Although Mr Rajoy insisted that Catalonia's self-government is not being suspended, many will disagree. The removal from office of Carles Puigdemont and all the members of his cabinet, to allow ministers in Madrid to take on their duties, amounts to a major reining in of Catalonia's devolved powers. Although Mr Rajoy insists Catalonia's self-government is not being suspended, many will disagree. The removal from office of Carles Puigdemont and all the members of his cabinet, to allow ministers in Madrid to take on their duties, amounts to a major reining in of Catalonia's devolved powers.
The Spanish prime minister said that one of his aims was to restore peaceful co-existence to Catalonia with these measures. Many Catalans who want to remain in Spain will approve of this strident action. But those who want independence for their region are likely to see this as a provocation rather than a solution. The Spanish prime minister said one of his aims was to restore peaceful co-existence to Catalonia with these measures. Many Catalans who want to remain in Spain will approve of this strident action. But those who want independence for their region are likely to see this as a provocation rather than a solution.
How did we get here?How did we get here?
It comes after the Catalonia 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. Unionist parties who won about 40% of the vote at the 2015 Catalan elections boycotted the ballot and many anti-independence supporters stayed away, 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 later 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.He then defied two deadlines set by the national government to clarify Catalonia's position.