Madrid invokes law to take direct control of Catalonia during ‘crisis’
▶ Government has taken steps to reclaim the reins and force regional elections within six months
The Spanish government has announced plans to take direct control of Catalonia.
For the first time in democratic Spain, Madrid will invoke Article 155, which allows it to impose direct rule over the semi-autonomous region in times of crisis.
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has also called for elections to take place in Catalonia within six months.
The decision was made during a special cabinet meeting yesterday morning, almost three weeks after the independence referendum took place.
The vote, which was ruled illegal by the supreme court, resulted in 90 per cent of Catalans opting for independence. Many anti-independence supporters boycotted the poll and claimed it was invalid. There was a 43 per cent turnout.
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont argues the result gave him a mandate to pursue independence. He and other regional leaders signed a declaration of independence, but immediately suspended for talks.
Mr Puigdemont was yesterday among about 450,000 people who took to the streets in Barcelona to protest against the Spanish government’s moves. They filled the streets around the Paseo de Gracia boulevard chanting “independence” and “freedom”.
Article 155 does not suspend the autonomy of Catalonia, which is guaranteed in Spain’s constitution and the statute of autonomy, but it allows the government to take special measures to force the region to adhere to its constitutional obligations.
It states that if a region’s government “acts in a way that seriously threatens the general interest of Spain”, Madrid can “take necessary measures to oblige it forcibly to comply”.
It has never been invoked in democratic Spain. The article is only two paragraphs long and does not outline rules for introduction.
Its implementation, as explained by the prime minister, is based on four objectives of the government: return to legality, restore normality and coexistence, continue economic recovery and hold to elections in the region.
“We are not suspending Catalonia’s autonomy, nor its self-governance. We’re just reinstating normality,” Mr Rajoy said.
He stopped short of dissolving Catalonia’s parliament, but will hold elections for the region within six months.
The government’s next steps include requesting authorisation from the senate to temporarily dissolve the roles of Catalonia’s president, vice president and the advisers of the Catalan government.
Their duties will be carried out by the ministries in Madrid during what the government has called a crisis. The Spanish senate is expected to address the measure on Friday.
El Pais, the Spanish newspaper, reported that the government would have the ability to take control of TV3, the primary television channel of Catalan public broadcaster Televisio de Catalunya, “to ensure the transmission of truthful and objective information”.
Madrid could also issue direct and compulsory instructions to the police and security forces.
Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras said new elections were “not the best way of moving forward”.
Catalonia has significant autonomy from Spain, including control over its own police, education and health care. It accounts for about a fifth of Spain’s economic output.
Supporters of independence say the region contributes too much to the national economy, while those opposed believe Catalonia is stronger within Spain.
Nearly 1,200 companies based in Catalonia have re-registered in other parts of Spain since the referendum and Spain this week cut its national growth forecast for next year from 2.6 to 2.3 per cent.