WEB DESK
Spain today moved to seize direct control of Catalonia, sacking its police chief a day after the Catalan regional parliament’s independence declaration.
This follows yesterday’s dismissal of Catalonia’s president, his deputy, all ministers, and the entire parliament. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called for elections on 21st of December in the region after the Senate granted sweeping powers to him in response to Catalan lawmakers voting to declare an independent republic.
All eyes this weekend will be on whether Catalonia’s executive, led by Carles Puigdemont, will willingly step aside for caretaker envoys from Madrid. Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria is due to meet later with secretaries of state who will take charge of Catalonia’s regional ministries.
The move to quash Catalan powers is likely to anger many in a region of some 7.5 million people that enjoyed considerable autonomy, with control over education, healthcare and police. It is the first time the central government has curtailed autonomy in the region.
The Spanish government has received unwavering support from the United States and its allies in the European Union. The bloc is increasingly wary of nationalistic and secessionist sentiment, particularly after Britain’s dramatic decision last year to leave the bloc.