Catalonia independence: Spain takes charge of Catalan government
published on The BBC, on October 28, 2017
The Spanish government has stripped Catalonia of its autonomy and taken charge of its government.
The measures came early on Saturday after the Catalan parliament voted to declare independence on Friday.
An official state bulletin dismissed Catalan leaders and handed control of Catalonia to Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria.
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has called for “democratic opposition” to the takeover.
He made the call in a TV address broadcast from an undisclosed location.
Earlier, Spain’s interior ministry took charge of Catalonia’s police after firing senior Catalan police officials.
On Friday, PM Mariano Rajoy announced the dissolution of the regional parliament and the removal of the Catalan leader, and called snap local elections.
Demonstrations for and against independence went on into the night. A large rally “for the unity of Spain and the constitution” is being held in Madrid.
The crisis began when Catalan leaders held an independence referendum, defying a ruling by the Constitutional Court which had declared it illegal.
The Catalan government said that of the 43% of potential voters who took part, 90% were in favour of independence. Others boycotted the vote after the court ruling.
What are the latest developments?
On Friday afternoon, the Catalan regional parliament voted to declare independence from Spain.
Soon after, the Spanish Senate granted Mr Rajoy’s government the power to impose direct rule on Catalonia.
It did so early on Saturday by publishing an official bulletin (in Spanish) that dismissed Mr Puigdemont and all government members.
The announcement came hours after the Madrid government removed Josep Lluís Trapero Álvarez as chief of Catalonia’s autonomous Mossos police force.
Mr Trapero was already under investigation for sedition, accused of failing to help Spain’s Guardia Civil police tackle thousands of pro-independence protesters in Barcelona during the run-up to the referendum.
He was replaced by Ferran López, his deputy. Pere Soler i Campins, director general of the Mossos, was also dismissed.
The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford, in Madrid, said that implementing the changes is likely to be a complex process for Spanish authorities – and one bound to be met with stiff resistance from those who just voted for independence.
Regional elections are scheduled for 21 December.
Mr Puigdemont has urged supporters to “maintain the momentum” in a peaceful manner, but Spanish prosecutors say they will file charges of “rebellion” against him next week.
Separatists say the independence move means they no longer fall under Spanish jurisdiction.
But the Spanish Constitutional Court is likely to declare it illegal, while the EU, the US, the UK, Germany and France all expressed support for Spanish unity.
What powers did Catalonia have?
Before Madrid took over the Catalan government, the region had one of the greatest levels of self-government in Spain.
It has its own parliament, police force and public broadcaster, as well as a government and president, though those have now been dismissed.
Catalans had a range of powers in many policy areas from culture and environment to communications, transportation, commerce and public safety.
Foreign affairs, the armed forces and fiscal policy were always the sole responsibility of the Spanish government.
What’s the reaction been?
Thousands celebrated the declaration of independence on the streets of Barcelona, Catalonia’s regional capital.
The same crowds that cheered each Yes vote from Catalan MPs reportedly booed Mr Rajoy as he made his announcement.
There were pro-unity demonstrations too, with protesters in Barcelona waving Spanish flags and denouncing Catalan independence. A large pro-unity rally is expected in Madrid on Saturday.
In other reaction:
- Barcelona’s mayor Ada Colau condemned the move by Madrid, but also criticised Catalan pro-independence parties for “advancing at a kamikaze pace…after their mistaken reading of the results of the Catalan elections”
- EU President Donald Tusk said Madrid’s government “remains our only interlocutor” in Spain, but called for restraint
- The UK government said it did not recognise the declaration of independence by Catalonia.
How did we get here?
After the 1 October referendum, Mr Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence but delayed implementation to allow talks with the Spanish government.
He ignored warnings by the Madrid government to cancel the move, prompting Mr Rajoy to first announce his plans to remove Catalan leaders and impose direct rule.
Catalonia is one of Spain’s richest, most distinctive regions, with a high degree of autonomy.
Many Catalans feel they pay more to Madrid than they get back, and there are historical grievances, too, in particular Catalonia’s treatment under the dictatorship of General Franco. But Catalans have been divided on the question of independence.
Well done! The Spanish government is fighting the European Union which is behind the balkanization of all European countries by creating fewer and larger regions within each one of them that will be defenseless faced to the European Union’s governance and Army (EuroGenFor). This is part of the Agenda 21 that the Illuminati are trying to impose on all countries in the world starting with America and Europe.
Ten brownie points for the Spanish government.
Anita Suarez, I had a different take on the situation. Unless you were being sarcastic… I believe that independence away from pro-unity is the way ‘away’ from ‘The One World Order’, ‘Agenda 21’ and the ‘UN’s/EU toxic control’.
Therefore, to give kudos to Madrid and the Spanish government for halting independence, and removing Catalonia’s protection by local police and pro independent officials, is not worthy of brownie points.
As you did appear to say, we do want more independence to do away with the,”…fewer and larger regions…” process.
Hi, Bonnie,
I mean every word I wrote and believe you are utterly mistaken as you do not seem to understand the overall situation (the world situation).
Playing the NWO game by supporting Catalonia’s secession is not going to help us, nor is dividing countries into smaller regions in order tat they be better controlled and enslaved is going to help anyone. This is definitely not the way forward.
Besides, Calalonia is the richest province of Spain. I therefore do not think it right to separate this rich province from the poorer rest of the country: it just is not fair. This province became rich and prosperous thanks to the Spanish people as a whole and the Spanish government’s efforts, and now that prosperity is achieved Catalonia (supported by the EU) wants to break away and keep the riches for its own bloody self! This is not acceptable. Calatonia’s wealth and prosperity must serve the entire Spanish people.
Hundred of brownie points to the Spanish governement thanks to you.
In full support of Catalonia! They want to be free and the powers that were are desperately trying to keep everyone under their rule. Spain holds the crown of kings and Catalonia’s rejection of the power overborne is an extremely strong message to the entire world. I don’t quite understand what you are saying Anita, if you are truly following the movement of I-UV, you would understand that there is no longer classification of rich and poor, wealth for prosperity, or government equating to economic stability. We are moving beyond those former modes of thinking, to evolve towards a higher level of light and consciousness. Peace and love and FREEDOM
“if you are truly following the movement of I-UV”…
Contrary to you, my dear, I am no follower of any one, I-UV don’t give me my clues: I have my own mind…
Try using you own mind for a change. Come out of the hive mind. Think for yourself.
Hi, Bonnie,
Catalonia’s businesses seem to think the same as I do as between 02 and 26 October, nearly 1700 businesses transferred their headquarters outside Catalonia and registered them within the other Spanish provinces. According to the newspaper “La Vangardia”, in the week starting 23 October, 379 businesses decided to move out of Catalonia. One business moves his headquarters outside Catalonia every 15 minutes since 02 October.
Thousands of brownie points to the Spanish government !
Businesses still dependent on, and using the old system that is bankrupt and foreclosed. It’s only delaying the inevitable transition and change that is taking place.
I guess the same goes for your own town and possibly your very own business…
Yes! And I am excited for the moments it finally happens. I came across a comment earlier this week where a gentleman was describing the moment when we can let this go; the opportunity where he can build his own shelter, and tend to EARTH. I am feeling his sentiment and couldn’t agree more 🙂