Spain announces plan to oust Catalan leaders, impose direct rule

As nearly half a million pro-independence demonstrators protested in Barcelona Saturday, Spanish Prime Miniser Mariano Rajoy announced plans to dissolve the Catalan regional government, oust its elected leaders, hold new elections and impose direct rule under Article 155 of the constitution. Catalan president Carles Puigdemont denounced Rajoy’s decision and said, “The Catalan institutions and people cannot accept”  what he called “the worst attack on Catalonia’s institutions since regional autonomy was dissolved under General Franco’s 1939-1975 dictatorship.”

Puigdemont said that since Spain had rejected all offers of dialogue, he would call on the regional parliament to decide on action, but stopped short of declaring regional independence.