What will invoking Article 155 mean for Catalonia - and Spain?

What will invoking Article 155 mean for Catalonia - and Spain?

There came a point this week when the move to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy became inevitable.

The region's leaders made it clear they would not respond to Spain's demand to say conclusively if they had declared independence.

One deadline passed, and when the second came and went with no "satisfactory response" from Catalonia then Madrid had to make good on its warning to take direct control of the region.

For Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy this is about upholding the law, the constitution, but he took an unprecedented and politically controversial step by moving to invoke Article 155 and impose direct control.

Image: Carles Puigdemont has pledged to fulfil the outcome of the referendum

And whatever the war of words between Madrid and Barcelona, he knows tensions are running high and so will be keen to avoid stirring further social unrest.


So how far can and will he go with imposing measures to bring Catalan independence leaders in line?

Article 155 says in its two brief paragraphs: "If a self-governing Community... acts in a way that is seriously prejudicial to the general interest of Spain, the Government... can take all measures necessary to... protect the above mentioned interests."

"The constitution doesn't specify what measures to take, it says to take the necessary measures and that's up to the government to propose and put them to the Senate," says Teresa Freixes, one of the top experts on Spanish constitutional law.

"One possible option is that someone substitutes for the Catalan government, authorities named by the central government, and it could be that they dissolve the Catalan parliament to call fresh elections."

Will Catalonia create a domino effect?

Removing powers from secessionist leaders including President Carles Puigdemont would stir fury and celebration in equal measures in a region which is genuinely divided about independence.

But Prime Minister Rajoy cannot act unilaterally.

His cabinet has met in an emergency session to draw up proposals, and the measures will be put before Spain's senate.

Mr Rajoy's party and the socialists who oppose independence hold sway there, so there seems little doubt he will get the backing he needs.

Many predict he will be careful in the demands he makes.

Image: Spanish police were criticised for a violence during the referendum

There will not be any dramatic changes overnight but Mr Rajoy knows that even announcing an intention to take away the autonomy one of Spain's self-governing regions is a dramatic step and protests are already being planned in Catalonia.

And the unknown is when the Catalan leader will move to declare independence as he pledged to do.