Catalonia's Parliament President Calls Spanish Government's Actions a 'Coup'

Leaders in the Catalonia region stated on Saturday, October 21, that they do not accept the Spanish government's plan to dissolve the local government and impose direct rule from the central government over Catalonia. The president of the Catalan Parliament has also stated that Madrid is executing a coup against this region. Following heightened tensions between Catalonia and the Spanish government after a referendum on independence was held in the region, Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain, announced earlier on Saturday that Madrid has no choice but to dissolve the Catalan local government by invoking Article 155 of the Constitution and hold elections in the region. According to Reuters, Carles Puigdemont, the President of the Catalan government, said that Rajoy's actions represent 'the worst attack against the people of Catalonia' since the military dictatorship. The Spanish Prime Minister stated that he must act to end a crisis that has worried the public and could have adverse economic consequences. However, Carles Puigdemont, in a television program, stated that he would ask the Catalan Parliament, as representatives of the region's people, to convene to make decisions regarding the defense of sovereignty and democracy. In this context, the President of the Catalan Parliament also stated that the Prime Minister's decision to dissolve the government of this region and hold new elections is a 'coup' and an attack on democracy. Carme Forcadell also said in a television program: 'Mariano Rajoy wants to prevent the Catalan Parliament from being a democratic parliament, but we will not allow his wishes to be realized.' She added: 'For this reason, we want to tell the citizens of this country to remain hopeful and steadfast. After all these serious attacks against Catalan institutions, we declare that we will defend the independence and sovereignty of this region's parliament.' The Spanish government needs a vote from the Senate to obtain such special powers, which would allow it to take full control of the economy, police forces, and media in Catalonia. The Catalonia region in northern Spain has a population of 7.5 million, and its residents speak Catalan. Separatists argue that while the economy of this region accounts for one-fifth of Spain's total economy, revenues are spent across all of Spain, and that independence would make the region wealthier. However, opponents of independence believe that it could lead to instability and severe economic consequences.