Madrid discusses direct rule on ‘rebel region’ Catalonia

Spain’s central government met on Saturday (October 21) to discuss establishing control in the country’s north-eastern region of Catalonia. The emergency cabinet meeting follows a referendum on secession three weeks ago. Madrid says suspending some of Catalonia’s autonomy — a move that could be applied under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution — would guarantee “freedom, security and plurality” in the face of “rebellious disobedience.” Spain’s prime minister Mariano Rajoy said the goal of such measures, “is to go back to legality because it cannot be a portion of a country where law is not applied, where law doesn’t exist. And at the same time we need to go back to institutional normality.” The country’s head of state King Felipe said he supports the central government’s stance, and affirmed the unity of Spain. He says “Catalonia is and will remain an essential part.” “Spain needs to face up to an unacceptable secession attempt on its national territory, which it will resolve using legitimate democratic institutions, respecting our constitution, adhering to the values and principles of the parliamentary democracy in which we have lived for 39 years,” said King Felipe VI. Catalonia’s regional president Carles Puigdemont has refused to renounce independence, citing an overwhelming vote in favour of secession. Puigdemont has said the result of the referendum is binding. Spanish courts have ruled the vote unconstitutional.