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| Catalan crisis: Spain PM Rajoy demands direct rule | Catalan crisis: Spain PM Rajoy demands direct rule |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called on senators to approve direct rule over Catalonia, amid an escalating crisis over the region's push for independence. | Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called on senators to approve direct rule over Catalonia, amid an escalating crisis over the region's push for independence. |
| He said he wanted to dismiss Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, his vice-president and all regional ministers. | He said he wanted to dismiss Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, his vice-president and all regional ministers. |
| Meanwhile the Catalan regional parliament is holding a vote on unilaterally declaring independence. | Meanwhile the Catalan regional parliament is holding a vote on unilaterally declaring independence. |
| Earlier this month Catalonia held a disputed referendum on the issue. | Earlier this month Catalonia held a disputed referendum on the issue. |
| Mr Rajoy said he was calling for exceptional measures because there was no other choice and said "law, democracy and stability" needed to be returned to Catalonia. | Mr Rajoy said he was calling for exceptional measures because there was no other choice and said "law, democracy and stability" needed to be returned to Catalonia. |
| He accused the Catalan government of dividing families and fracturing society. Many people had already suffered too much, he said, and the uncertainty was driving businesses out of the region. | He accused the Catalan government of dividing families and fracturing society. Many people had already suffered too much, he said, and the uncertainty was driving businesses out of the region. |
| "The thing that Catalans need protecting from is not what they're calling Spanish imperialism, but a minority who, in an intolerant way, declare themselves the owners of Catalonia and consider as exclusive a history, culture and feelings that are the heritage of the community," he said. | "The thing that Catalans need protecting from is not what they're calling Spanish imperialism, but a minority who, in an intolerant way, declare themselves the owners of Catalonia and consider as exclusive a history, culture and feelings that are the heritage of the community," he said. |
| The speech was met with applause in the Spanish Senate, where Mr Rajoy's Partido Popular has a majority. | The speech was met with applause in the Spanish Senate, where Mr Rajoy's Partido Popular has a majority. |
| Article 155 of the Spanish constitution empowers the government to take "all measures necessary to compel" a region in case of a crisis. | Article 155 of the Spanish constitution empowers the government to take "all measures necessary to compel" a region in case of a crisis. |
| It would enable Madrid to take control of Catalonia's finances, police and public media. | It would enable Madrid to take control of Catalonia's finances, police and public media. |
| The Senate is expected to back his proposals, which also have the support of opposition parties. The Catalan parliament could respond by declaring independence unilaterally. | The Senate is expected to back his proposals, which also have the support of opposition parties. The Catalan parliament could respond by declaring independence unilaterally. |
| However both bodies have allowed for further debate on Saturday. | However both bodies have allowed for further debate on Saturday. |
| Catalans debate independence | Catalans debate independence |
| The regional parliament in Barcelona is voting in a secret ballot on declaring independence from Spain after a heated debate. | The regional parliament in Barcelona is voting in a secret ballot on declaring independence from Spain after a heated debate. |
| On Thursday Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont failed to reveal a favoured course of action, and called on MPs to decide on a response. | On Thursday Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont failed to reveal a favoured course of action, and called on MPs to decide on a response. |
| Pro-independence MPs have drafted a motion in favour of declaring independence from Spain. | Pro-independence MPs have drafted a motion in favour of declaring independence from Spain. |
| But Carlos Carrizosa from the anti-independence Citizens's Party, who was first to speak in Friday's session, said the text would "destroy what we hold most sacred, living together in harmony". | But Carlos Carrizosa from the anti-independence Citizens's Party, who was first to speak in Friday's session, said the text would "destroy what we hold most sacred, living together in harmony". |
| Pro-union parties are boycotting the vote. | Pro-union parties are boycotting the vote. |
| Mr Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence following the 1 October referendum, but immediately halted implementation and called for negotiations between Catalonia and the Spanish government. | Mr Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence following the 1 October referendum, but immediately halted implementation and called for negotiations between Catalonia and the Spanish government. |
| The Catalan government said that of the 43% who took part in the referendum, 90% were in favour of independence. | The Catalan government said that of the 43% who took part in the referendum, 90% were in favour of independence. |
| But the Constitutional Court ruled it was illegal. | But the Constitutional Court ruled it was illegal. |
| Adding fuel to the fire | Adding fuel to the fire |
| By Katya Adler, BBC Europe editor, Barcelona | By Katya Adler, BBC Europe editor, Barcelona |
| Article 155 of Spain's 1978 constitution has never been used before in democratic Spain. And for good reason. | Article 155 of Spain's 1978 constitution has never been used before in democratic Spain. And for good reason. |
| Spaniards call it their government's "nuclear option". | Spaniards call it their government's "nuclear option". |
| But the Spanish Senate is expected to vote in favour of triggering Article 155 and stripping the region of Catalonia of its autonomous powers. | But the Spanish Senate is expected to vote in favour of triggering Article 155 and stripping the region of Catalonia of its autonomous powers. |
| The move is the only way, the Spanish government insists, to calm the Catalan crisis. | The move is the only way, the Spanish government insists, to calm the Catalan crisis. |
| But Catalan leaders say such a move will simply add fuel to the fire - making it more likely that Friday will be the day that they officially declare an independent Catalan republic. | But Catalan leaders say such a move will simply add fuel to the fire - making it more likely that Friday will be the day that they officially declare an independent Catalan republic. |
| Friday's front page headline of Spain's Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico tells the story. It reads: "Unilateral Declaration of Independence and Goodbye." | Friday's front page headline of Spain's Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico tells the story. It reads: "Unilateral Declaration of Independence and Goodbye." |
| More on the Catalan crisis | More on the Catalan crisis |