Spanish Government dissolves Catalan Parliament after region votes for independence

Credit: AP

Spain has taken direct control of Catalonia after dissolving its Parliament and sacking the region's defiant separatist government.

Rival rallies were held on Friday night after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced he was calling a regional election for December 21 and appealed for calm, insisting the rule of law would be restored in the region..

The Spanish Senate approved proposals to trigger Article 155 of the constitution giving Madrid control over Barcelona, allowing it to take "all measures necessary" to intervene directly in the running of an autonomous region in the event of a crisis.

This is the first time it has been used.

Earlier on Friday, politicians in the autonomous region backed the motion 70-10 in favour of independence, with two blank ballots in Catalonia's 135-member parliament. Many of the opposition politicians had left the chamber in protest moments before the vote.

Mr Rajoy warned the region it would face the consequences of a "clear violation of laws" if the Catalan lawmakers passed the vote for a split from Spain.

Thousands of people who had gathered outside the Catalonia parliament building in Barcelona cheered as the motion for independence was passed and later celebrated the removal of the Spanish flag from the city hall.

Rival pro-unity supporters also took to the city's streets in smaller numbers.

Following their sacking, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and the 12 members of the Catalan Cabinet will no longer be paid and they could be charged with usurping others' functions if they refuse to obey the Government.

  • The moment the Catalan parliament passed the motion for independence

Mr Rajoy has the backing of world leaders, with no country as yet supporting Catalan independence.

Downing Street said Britain will not recognise the Catalan parliament's declaration of independence from Spain.

"It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved," a spokesman said in a statement

European Council president Donald Tusk said "nothing changes" for the EU.

He wrote on Twitter: "Spain remains our only interlocutor. I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force."

The Scottish government called for dialogue to end the crisis and said direct rule from Madrid "cannot be the solution".

External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "We understand and respect the position of the Catalan government. While Spain has the right to oppose independence, the people of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future."

First Minister Nicola Sturgoen later tweeted: "To be clear, Scotland does not recognise the Republic of #Catalunya. The Spanish constitution must be respected."

The US State Department says it stands in support of the Spanish government in its efforts to stop Catalonia's independence bid.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: "Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government's constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united."

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Paul Davies