The Irish Mail on Sunday

Fury on the streets as PM vows to ‘take back Catalonia’

- By Jonathan Bucks

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 further constituti­onal strife.

In a desperate bid to thwart a breakaway by the region, Spain’s 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 government’s move marked the first time direct rule has been imposed since the restoratio­n of democracy in 1977.

Observers say the move could raise the spectre of Basque nationalis­m and have repercussi­ons across a Europe that is facing the rise of nationalis­t and separatist movements. Yesterday, thousands of Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona to demonstrat­e against the move to suspend autonomy – as well as the jailing of independen­ce leaders Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart.

In a press conference, Mr Rajoy said the government had no choice but to impose direct rule from Madrid because the Catalan government’s actions were ‘contrary to the law and seeking confrontat­ion’. He added: ‘We are triggering Article 155 because no government of any democratic country, I insist – none – can accept that the law is ignored.’

The authoritie­s are also 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. He said: ‘The fact that people have been imprisoned for their political ideas is unacceptab­le in the 21st century.’

 ??  ?? fury: President Carles Puigdemont (front centre) at yesterday’s protest
fury: President Carles Puigdemont (front centre) at yesterday’s protest

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