Catalonia declares independence as Spain prepares to impose direct rule
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The Madrid government sacked Catalonia’s president and dismissed its parliament on Friday, hours after the region declared
itself an independent nation in Spain’s gravest political crisis since the return of democracy four decades ago.
A new regional election will be held in Catalonia on Dec. 21, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in a televised address on a
day of high drama.
As well as removing Carles Puigdemont as head of the autonomous region, he also fired its police chief and said central
government ministries would take over the Catalan administration.
“Spain is living through a sad day,” Rajoy said. “We believe it is urgent to listen to Catalan citizens, to all of them, so
that they can decide their future and nobody can act outside the law on their behalf.”
As he spoke, thousands of independence supporters packed the Sant Jaume Square in front of the Catalan regional
headquarters in Barcelona, their earlier joyful mood somewhat dampened by Rajoy’s actions.
In a stunning show of defiance of Madrid, the Catalan parliament had voted in the afternoon to make a unilateral
declaration of independence.
Despite the emotions and celebrations inside and outside the building, it was a futile gesture as shortly afterwards the
Spanish Senate in Madrid approved the imposition of direct rule.
Several European countries, including France and Germany, and the United States also rejected the independence declaration
and said they supported Rajoy’s efforts to preserve Spain’s unity.
The crisis has now reached a new and possibly dangerous level as independence supporters have called for a campaign of
disobedience. Immediately after news of the vote, Spanish shares and bonds were sold off, reflecting business concern over
the turmoil.
Although the referendum endorsed independence, it drew only a 43 percent turnout as Catalans who oppose independence
largely boycotted it.
The independence push has caused deep resentment around Spain. The chaos has also prompted a flight of business from
Catalonia and alarmed European leaders who fear the crisis could fan separatist sentiment around the continent.
Catalonia is one of Spain’s most prosperous regions and already has a high degree of autonomy. But it has a litany of
historic grievances, exacerbated during the 1939-1975 Franco dictatorship, when its culture and politics were suppressed.
In Barcelona, Jordi Mercade, a 32-year-old engineer celebrating with friends, said he had mixed feelings about the day’s
events.
“It’s a day for history but many of us here also know we are not independent. They have the force. We are proud to having
declared independence but we know this is not something definitive.”
Catalan separatist flags are held up as fireworks go off in Sant Jaume Square in front of the Catalan regional government
headquarters during celebrations after the Catalan regional parliament declared independence from Spain in Barcelona.
Also unclear is how Rajoy’s other measures will work on the ground, because of the reactions of civil servants and the
regional police, know as the Mossos d‘Esquadra, who are reported to be divided in their loyalties.
The main secessionist group, the Catalan National Assembly, called on civil servants not to follow orders from the Spanish
government and urged them to follow “peaceful resistance”.
“Tensions are likely to rise significantly over the coming days,” Antonio Barroso of Teneo Intelligence said in a note.
“Demonstrators might try to prevent the police from removing Catalan ministers from their offices if the central government
decides to do so. This increases the risk of violent clashes with the police.”
A big crowd of independence supporters gathered outside the regional parliament in Barcelona, shouting “Liberty” in Catalan
and singing traditional songs as the independence vote went through.
Among them was Monica Sanz, 44, a university lecturer who wore a Catalan flag around her neck.
“We tried all peaceful means. Moderate people have reached this point because it was impossible to make an agreement with
Spain,” she said.
The motion, passed after a passionate debate from advocates and opponents of independence, said Catalonia constituted an
independent, sovereign and social democratic state.
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