The Spanish Senate has given the Central Government in Madrid unprecedented powers to take over Catalonia and impose direct rule over the region.
This comes minutes after Catalonian Lawmakers declare Independence from Spain after an overwhelming vote of 70-10 in favour of the move.
Spain’s Central Government lobbied for permission to take over Catalonia during parliamentary session in Madrid.
This development as left little ground in Spain for possible compromises, spilling over to the European Union, whose leaders fear another internal crisis after major upheavals such as Britain’s exit from the bloc and the financial meltdown in Greece.
European Council President, Donald Tusk in a tweet immediately Catalonia declared Independence said, “For EU nothing chances. Spain remains our only interlocutor. I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force.”
In a related development, Washington made clear its stance through the State Department: “Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government’s constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united.”
Spain Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy however made it clear that his government had made attempts at harmonizing both parties. He dismissed Catalonia President Carles Puigdemont repeated talks on dialogue.
“The word dialogue is a lovely word. It creates good feelings. But dialogue has two enemies: those who abuse, ignore and forget the laws, and those who only want to listen to themselves, who do not want to understand the other party.”
Rajoy urged the Senate to approve the use of Article 155 of the 1978 Spanish constitution which gives more power to the Central government. The article says that if a regional government “doesn’t comply with the obligations of the Constitution or other laws it imposes, or acts in a way that seriously undermines the interests of Spain”, the national government can ask the Senate to vote on the use of the measure.
Around 90% of voters backed independence in the referendum, Catalan officials say, but just 43% of eligible voters voted.
