This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/27/world/europe/spain-catalonia-puigdemont.html

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Spain’s Prime Minister Asks for Power to Oust Catalan Leader Spain’s Prime Minister Asks for Power to Oust Catalan Leader
(about 3 hours later)
BARCELONA, Spain — Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, urged the Senate on Friday to grant him extraordinary powers to oust the leadership of Catalonia and take control over the region in order to end a secessionist threat.BARCELONA, Spain — Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, urged the Senate on Friday to grant him extraordinary powers to oust the leadership of Catalonia and take control over the region in order to end a secessionist threat.
Mr. Rajoy said there was “no alternative” because the Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, and his separatist cabinet had pursued an illegal and unilateral path that was “contrary to the normal behavior in any democratic country like ours.”Mr. Rajoy said there was “no alternative” because the Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, and his separatist cabinet had pursued an illegal and unilateral path that was “contrary to the normal behavior in any democratic country like ours.”
“What would France or Germany do,” he asked lawmakers, if faced with a similar insurrection?“What would France or Germany do,” he asked lawmakers, if faced with a similar insurrection?
Mr. Rajoy’s unprecedented call for the Senate to invoke Article 155 of Spain’s Constitution, allowing him to impose direct rule on Catalonia, came amid the country’s greatest constitutional crisis since it embraced democracy in 1978.Mr. Rajoy’s unprecedented call for the Senate to invoke Article 155 of Spain’s Constitution, allowing him to impose direct rule on Catalonia, came amid the country’s greatest constitutional crisis since it embraced democracy in 1978.
The Senate will vote on the measure later on Friday.The Senate will vote on the measure later on Friday.
The prime minister’s appearance before the Senate in Madrid followed a day of chaotic wavering in the Catalan capital, Barcelona. On Thursday, Mr. Puigdemont set and delayed news conferences in which he was expected to call for early regional elections. But he dropped the idea and instead told the regional Parliament to decide on independence later on Friday.The prime minister’s appearance before the Senate in Madrid followed a day of chaotic wavering in the Catalan capital, Barcelona. On Thursday, Mr. Puigdemont set and delayed news conferences in which he was expected to call for early regional elections. But he dropped the idea and instead told the regional Parliament to decide on independence later on Friday.
He said he had made the decision after failing to secure a commitment from the central government that it would not take control of the region if he called elections.He said he had made the decision after failing to secure a commitment from the central government that it would not take control of the region if he called elections.
Under Article 155 of Spain’s Constitution, Mr. Rajoy is preparing to take full control over Catalonia’s administration and replace Mr. Puigdemont and Catalonia’s entire leadership.Under Article 155 of Spain’s Constitution, Mr. Rajoy is preparing to take full control over Catalonia’s administration and replace Mr. Puigdemont and Catalonia’s entire leadership.
The Article 155 measures are expected to be approved later on Friday by the Spanish Senate, in which Mr. Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party holds a majority of the seats. The measure is expected to be approved later on Friday by the Spanish Senate, in which Mr. Rajoy’s conservative Popular Party holds a majority of the seats.
Mr. Rajoy plans to keep the emergency measures in place for less than six months, and to organize regional elections to choose a new Catalan government within that time, he said. Mr. Rajoy said that he plans to keep the emergency measures in place for less than six months, and to organize regional elections to choose a new Catalan government within that time.
Separately, the Catalan Parliament is scheduled to meet at noon local time in Barcelona and could vote to declare independence. An alliance of separatist parties has controlled the Catalan Parliament since 2015, after winning elections, but with only 48 percent of the votes. The Catalan Parliament began meeting in Barcelona around noon local time, and could vote to declare independence. An alliance of separatist parties has controlled the Catalan Parliament since 2015, after winning elections, but with only 48 percent of the votes.
Mr. Puigdemont’s government has been flouting Spain’s Constitution since early September, when separatist lawmakers voted to hold a binding referendum on independence on Oct. 1 as a key step toward statehood.Mr. Puigdemont’s government has been flouting Spain’s Constitution since early September, when separatist lawmakers voted to hold a binding referendum on independence on Oct. 1 as a key step toward statehood.
The referendum was marred by clashes between the Spanish national police and Catalan citizens that left hundreds injured, including police officers.
Catalans who went to the polls voted overwhelmingly to approve independence, but the referendum took place without legal guarantees and with most opponents of independence staying away.Catalans who went to the polls voted overwhelmingly to approve independence, but the referendum took place without legal guarantees and with most opponents of independence staying away.
The vote had been already been declared illegal by Spain’s government and courts. The referendum was marred by clashes between the Spanish national police and Catalan citizens that left hundreds injured, including police officers.
Large crowds gathered outside the Catalan Parliament on Friday in anticipation of what they hoped would be a historic day for Catalonia.
Many were draped in flags as they watched the parliamentary debate on two large screens, cheering during speeches by pro-independence lawmakers and hissing during those of their opponents. When proceedings hit a lull, the crowds cycled through a series of pro-independence chants.
“Spanish occupiers!” went one, a reference to the national police officers who tried to stop the Oct. 1 referendum by force. “Leave Catalonia!”
“I feel very, very happy,” said Emili Ara, a 79-year-old retired realtor, who said he had hoped for Catalan independence for most of his life, even in the days when the concept had little widespread appeal. “The people living here, both those who voted yes and those who voted no, will be able to see their sons and grandsons enjoy a much better future,” he added.
The optimism of Mr. Ara and his family was not dented by the prospect of the Spanish government moving to take over administration of the region.
“We have to declare independence even if we end up with less autonomy than we have now,” said Eulalia Ara, Mr. Ara’s 39-year-old daughter. “We can’t continue in this situation because we are being repressed by the Spanish state.”
And even “if they steal our Parliament and our government,” said Jordi Ara, Mr. Ara’s 18-year-old grandson, “we will still have our beliefs!”
Elsewhere in the crowd, separatist protesters saw little problem with declaring independence even though less than 43 percent of voters participated in the Oct. 1 referendum.
“Two months ago, I would have said that 43 percent was not enough,” said Ester Romero, a 25-year-old sales manager, who came to the rally after picking up her degree certificate. “But after all the oppression, after all the police hitting people during the referendum, it’s enough.”