(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
What was the Catalan independence referendum?
Background
On October 1, Catalan leaders held a referendum in defiance of Madrid to ascertain whether its population backed independence from Spain.
90% of 2.2 million voters, who amounted to 40% of Catalonia's population backed independence.
Madrid deployed its police forces to forcibly prevent voting. The crackdown left 900 people injured.
Numerous anti-Spain protests erupted afterward, with organizations including FC Barcelona backing Catalan independence.
Catalan Parliament declares independence from Spain
27 Oct 2017
On October 27, Catalonia's regional parliament has voted in favor of independence from Spain, ahead of a Spanish Senate vote to seize Catalan region's autonomous powers.
Seventy Catalan lawmakers voted for independence while 10 opposed. Opposition members walked out before the vote in protest.
Earlier, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy told Senators imposing direct rule was necessary to return "law, democracy, and stability" to Catalonia.
Spanish PM dissolves Catalan parliament after independence declaration
28 Oct 2017
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy has dissolved the Catalan parliament an hour after MPs voted to declare independence from Spain.
Rajoy, who has called for snap elections, said it was essential to impose direct rule to "recover normality."
He has dismissed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont and his cabinet.
The Catalan crisis began after its leaders defied a Constitutional Court ruling to hold an independence referendum.
Rajoy justifies decision
Statement
The Senate granted Rajoy's government the power to impose direct rule on Catalonia.
Rajoy said, "The president [Carles Puigdemont] had the opportunity to return to legality and to call elections."
"It is what the majority of the Catalonian people asked for - but he didn't want to do it. So the government of Spain is taking the necessary measures to return to legality."
Catalonia's capital Barcelona erupts in joy after independence declaration
Reactions
The declaration of independence was celebrated by thousands of people on the streets of Catalonia's regional capital, Barcelona.
The revelers popped open bottles of local sparkling wine, cava.
When Rajoy announced the dissolution of the Catalan parliament, the same revelers reportedly booed him.
Meanwhile, several pro-unity demonstrators waved Spanish flags to denounce Catalan independence.
Spanish ministries to start assuming control over Catalan administration
What next?
Spanish central government ministries will soon start assuming direct power over the Catalan administration till regional elections take place.
It goes to be seen whether pro-independence Catalan officials would succumb to Madrid's control.
Meanwhile, country's prosecutor's office said it would file charges of rebellion against Catalan President Puigdemont.
The crime of rebellion can attract up to 30-years in prison under Spanish law.
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