Violence fears as Catalans quit Spain
sPaIN was plunged into political crisis yesterday as Madrid responded to Catalonia’s vote for independence by moving to impose direct rule on the region.
thousands waving Catalan flags took to the streets in Barcelona, streaming on to Las ramblas to celebrate the regional parliament’s decision to break away from spain.
However, just 40 minutes after the secession was declared, Madrid’s upper house handed ministers unprecedented power to take control of the region, leading to fears of violence amid the political turmoil.
Last night spanish prime minister Mariano rajoy sacked the Catalan government and called a snap election for december 21.
after a special cabinet meeting, he said the Madrid government would also fire the head of the regional police, shut down Catalonia’s foreign affairs department and dismiss its delegates in Brussels and Madrid. ‘We never wanted it to come to this,’ Mr rajoy said.
as the decision to form a Catalan republic was announced earlier yesterday, regional president Carles Puigdemont told supporters: ‘today the Parliament fulfilled the longdesired and fought-for step and culminated the mandate of the ballot boxes. It’s in our, in your, hands to build the republic.’
Nationalists in the town of Girona pulled down the spanish flag from the town hall – replacing it with the Catalan flag.
Mr Puigdemont, who also called for peace in the days ahead, was last night threatened with criminal charges for ‘rebellion’ – carrying a maximum 30-year prison sentence.
the UK Government joined leading powers in refusing to recognise the declaration of secession.
However, the scottish Government said it ‘understood and respected’ the vote. external affairs secretary Fiona Hyslop said: ‘the people of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future.
‘the european Union has a political and moral responsibility to support dialogue to identify how the situation can be resolved peacefully and democratically.’
amid fears of widespread protests, european Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker issued a stark warning about ‘more cracks, more splits’ in the bloc. He said: ‘We already have enough splits and fractures and we do not need any more.’
the Catalan parliament’s decision to call the vote at short notice followed the controversial independence vote earlier this month that Madrid tried to shut down with heavyhanded police tactics.
While the ballot was 90 per cent in favour of independence, turnout was just 43 per cent. the move to start a ‘process’ to split with spain was passed by 70 votes to ten yesterday, though many pro-unity politicians boycotted the ballot in the 135-seat chamber.
Mr rajoy initially responded by saying: ‘spain is a serious country, a great nation, and we are not going to watch while a few individuals try to liquidate our constitution.’
Mr Puigdemont’s ruling coalition decided to call the vote at short notice after he decided against an outright declaration of independence or a fresh election.
But Carlos Carrizosa, of Catalonia’s prounion Citizens Party, said nationalist politicians were ‘acting like gods, above the law’ and the vote was a ‘blow to democracy’.
Nationalist politicians had insisted they would simply ignore any decrees issued under direct rule, while the government had said it would consider using force.
the decision to take control is the first time Madrid will directly run one of the country’s 17 semi-autonomous regions. spanish prosecutors said they will file ‘rebellion’ charges against Mr Puigdemont.
despite criticism of the eU’s response, european Council president donald tusk said the situation ‘changed nothing’ and the bloc would hold talks with Madrid alone.
Last night crowds were celebrating in Barcelona. rosalina torelles, 74, said: ‘We went through, we finally got it... the independence of Catalonia.’
Mr rajoy’s announcement was greeted with jeers by pro-independence supporters. In the city’s sant Jaume square, the crowd chanted: ‘We are not moving!’
‘It’s in your hands to build the republic’