Direct rule plan to quell Catalonia rebellion

THE SPANISH Government yesterday set out plans to strip Catalonia of its autonomy, sack its government and call fresh elections within six months, plunging the country into fresh turmoil.

In a desperate bid to thwart a breakaway by the region, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy took the radical step of triggering Article 155 of the Spanish constitution to impose direct rule over Catalonia.

Coming just three weeks after a disputed independence referendum descended into violence, the move marked the first time direct rule has been imposed since the restoration of democracy in 1977.

Yesterday, thousands of Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona to protest against the move and the jailing of independence leaders.

Mr Rajoy said he had no choice but to impose direct rule because the Catalan Government’s actions were “contrary to the law and seeking confrontation”.

He added: “We are triggering Article 155 because no gov- ernment of any democratic country, I insist none, can accept that the law is ignored.”

The measures must now be approved by Spain’s upper house, the Senate, on Friday.

The authorities are preparing to charge Catalan President Carles Puigdemont with rebellion if he declares independence, and to take control of Catalonia’s Mossos police force. Barcelona Football Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu sided with the separatists.