Spain plans to remove Catalonia's leaders, control region

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced Saturday that he plans to begin removing Catalonia's leaders from office, including President Carles Puigdemont, and take control of the region.


Rajoy, after an emergency meeting of his cabinet in Madrid, said he would invoke Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which allows direct rule in a crisis on any of the country's semi-autonomous regions.

Spain's Senate must approve the measure, which the government has never used.

According to Spanish law, elections must be held within six months of Article 155, but Rajoy said it was necessary for voting to be held sooner.
 [upi.com]
 21/10/17