Spain Begins Moves To Suspend Catalonia’s Autonomy

Catalonia's Autonomy

Beginning Saturday, Spain is planning to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy. This announcement follows the Catalan leader’s threats to declare independence. To take over control of the region, the government needs to activate Article 155 of the constitution.

The region had voted to secede in a referendum earlier this month. The referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish government, after previously trying to forcibly stop the vote as police clashed with voters.

The legality of the vote was determined by the supreme court of Spain, who noted that the constitution described the country as indivisible. Article 155 of the constitution would allow Madrid to impose direct rule over the region in a crisis. It was originally established shortly after the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975 but has never been invoked.

BBC Madrid reported that for Madrid, this conflict is about upholding the rule of law in Catalonia. They also noted that the Madrid government views the Catalan’s actions as unruly, disobedient, and a form of devolved government.

They also noted, however, that the government was nervous about large-scale demonstrations. This has lead to a more careful approach to the crisis for the Spanish government.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gave Catalan leader Charles Puigdemont a 10:00 deadline for a definite answer to the question of independence. The Rajoy also called on Puigdemont to ‘act sensibly’. However, when the time passed, the Catalan government accused the Spanish authorities of seeking confrontation.

The Spanish government stated, “It denounces the attitude maintained by those in charge of the Generalitat [Catalan government] to seek, deliberately and systematically, institutional confrontation despite the serious damage that is being caused to the coexistence and the economic structure of Catalonia. No-one doubts that the Spanish government will do all it can to restore the constitutional order.”

In a letter on Thursday from Puigdemont to Rajoy, Puigdemont warned that the independence declaration suspension may not last, “If the government continues to impede dialogue and continues with the repression, the Catalan parliament could proceed, if it is considered opportune, to vote on a formal declaration of independence.”

Featured Image: depositphotos/halfpoint

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