Spain takes control of Catalonia following vote to secede
Tensions surrounding the Catalan independence movement escalated last week, as the Spanish government moved ahead with its crackdown on the region. On October 28, Spain took control of Catalonia and dissolved its parliament, after MPS voted overwhelmingly in favour of creating an independent Catalan republic. Regional elections to replace the deposed government will take place on December 21. Until then, Catalonia will be under direct rule by Spain through article 155 of the country’s constitution. Article 155 allows Spain to dissolve Catalonia’s government and take control of its civil service, law enforcement, finances, and public media. It has never been used before.
The independence referendum itself was another unprecedented event. It was declared illegal by Spanish courts, and Spain’s state police behaved violently towards Catalan voters attempting to reach the polls. The deposed Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, urged a peaceful response from the region’s people, saying: “In the days ahead, we must keep to our values of pacifism and dignity. It’s in our – in your – hands to build the republic.” Puigdemont is currently in Belgium, and his lawyer claims that the Spanish government has issued a warrant for his arrest.
The European Union, the US, and the UK have expressed support for Spain’s actions to suppress the independence movement and maintain control over Catalonia, refusing to recognize the short- lived Catalan national government. A substantial number of Catalans also support continued unity with Spain, and the political crisis of recent weeks has been marked by some demonstrations against independence. Moreover, dozens of MPS boycotted the vote itself in a gesture of protest. In the week since the vote occurred, this faction has criticized the referendum for being allegedly undemocratic.
The left, meanwhile, has been divided in its response to the independence movement, with the Catalan socialist party along with the centre- left Ciutadans party siding with Spanish unity. The far- left CUP party, on the other hand, has vehemently supported independence, partly on the grounds that it would improve the condition of the working class. This week, in the wake of the crackdown, one Catalan union has called a tenday strike.