Spanish Central Government Takes Control of Catalonia

On Monday, November 8, the Spanish government took control of the Catalonia region, while civil servants ignored calls from civil groups for civil disobedience and reported to work. On the other hand, pro-independence parties have implicitly accepted the dissolution of the Catalan regional government and stated that they will participate in elections. According to Reuters, Spanish media reported that Carles Puigdemont, the ousted president of the autonomous Catalonia government, along with several other members of his government, left the region for Belgium. José Manuel Maza, the Attorney General of Spain, has accused the leaders of Catalonia of rebellion, sedition, fraud, and misuse of public funds. Catalonia, a successful region with its own language and culture, triggered the biggest crisis in Spain in decades by holding an independence referendum on October 1, which Spanish courts declared illegal. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dissolved the separatist Catalan government on Friday and called for early elections on December 21. The regional parliament has also been dissolved. Reuters reports that the calm prevailing in the streets of Barcelona on Monday dispelled the uncertainty that arose over the weekend regarding the status of the region. Some prominent leaders of Catalonia, including Puigdemont and his deputy Oriol Junqueras, have stated that they will not accept the central government's decree. However, their political parties, including the 'Catalan Democratic Party' and the 'Catalan Republican Left,' announced on Monday that they would participate in early elections to form a new parliament. The regional parliament has also canceled a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, which is another sign of local parties accepting the dissolution of the parliament. The newspaper 'Vanguardia' reported that the ousted president of the local Catalan government is expected to issue a statement on Monday evening. The television 'La Sexta' also mentioned that Puigdemont, along with five other members of his government, might seek asylum in Belgium. The widespread call from civil groups supporting the Catalan independence campaign for civil disobedience did not attract much support. Reuters noted that many civil servants, including teachers, firefighters, and local police, reported to work on Monday, with no signs of widespread absenteeism. In this context, hundreds of thousands demonstrated in Barcelona in support of the unity of Spain. The declaration of independence by Catalonia; the Spanish Senate approved direct Madrid rule over the region. The Prime Minister of Spain dissolved the Catalonia government; elections are scheduled for December.