On Saturday, October 21, the Spanish government announced its intention to dissolve the separatist local government of Catalonia and stated that new elections would be held in the region. According to the French news agency, Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain, made this announcement after an emergency meeting with his cabinet, adding that there was no choice left due to the approach taken by Carles Puigdemont, the head of the local government of Catalonia. Mr. Rajoy stated that he would ask the Spanish Senate to grant him permission to dissolve the local government of Catalonia and allow elections to be held in that region within a maximum of six months. Carles Puigdemont claims that with a '90 percent' yes vote in the October 1 referendum, he is obligated to declare independence. However, the turnout for this referendum was only 43 percent, and many opponents of separation did not participate because the central government declared the referendum unconstitutional. Mariano Rajoy had warned that if the Catalan leader did not retreat from the demand for independence, he would implement Article 155 of the Constitution, which allows the central government of Spain to govern the Catalonia region directly. According to the Associated Press, Catalan officials reported that Mr. Puigdemont intends to join street protests on Saturday in response to the central government's intention to dissolve the local government of Catalonia and will give a speech. Reports indicate that while supporters of independence are organizing new protests, opponents of separation welcomed the news of the intention to dissolve the regional government of Catalonia by honking car horns in Barcelona on Saturday. 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, the revenues are spent on all of Spain, and if independent, this region would become wealthier. However, opponents of separation believe that independence could lead to instability and severe economic consequences.
Spanish Government Announces Intent to Dissolve Catalonia's Local Government
The Spanish government announced plans to dissolve Catalonia's local government and hold new elections due to the separatist stance of its leader, Carles Puigdemont. This decision follows a controversial referendum where 90% voted for independence, but with only 43% turnout. The situation is significant as it highlights ongoing tensions between regional autonomy and central authority in Spain.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Spanish government announced plans to dissolve Catalonia's local government and hold new elections due to the separatist stance of its leader, Carles Puigdemont. This decision follows a controversial referendum where 90% voted for independence, but with only 43% turnout.
- The Spanish Senate will be asked to approve the dissolution of the Catalan government.
- The October 1 referendum was declared unconstitutional by the Spanish government.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Catalonia has a long history of seeking greater autonomy and independence from Spain, fueled by cultural and economic grievances. The recent referendum was a pivotal moment in this ongoing struggle.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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