The Spanish Government has moved decisively to use a previously untapped constitutional power so it can take control of Catalonia and derail the independence movement led by separatist politicians in the prosperous industrial region.

Key points: Mariano Rajoy says he is using Article 155 to "restore normalcy" in the country

Mariano Rajoy says he is using Article 155 to "restore normalcy" in the country Authorities can intervene when an autonomous region fails to comply with the law

Authorities can intervene when an autonomous region fails to comply with the law Constitutional Court's website has been affected by vandalism

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said after a special Cabinet session he wanted the Senate to allow central ministers to take over functions from all the regional Cabinet members and give him the power to call regional elections — something that only Catalonia's top leader can do now.

Mr Rajoy said he was using Article 155 of the Spanish constitution in order to "restore normalcy" in the country, which faces its most grave institutional crisis in decades with Catalonia's independence movement.

He said a new regional election in Catalonia should be held in the next six months.

"There is no country in the world ready to allow this kind of situation within its borders," Mr Rajoy said.

"It is my wish to call elections as soon as normality is restored."

His party enjoys a majority in the Senate and he has the backing of the main opposition parties in the move to quash independence for Catalonia and maintain Spain's territorial integrity.

'Worst attack on people of Catalonia since Franco'

Sorry, this video has expired The Catalan leader called the decision to fire the regional Government an attack on the region. (Photo: Reuters/Enrique Calvo)

The people of Catalonia cannot accept the "illegal" measures taken by the Spanish Government to rule the region directly from Madrid, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont said as he called on the regional parliament to act against them.

Mr Puigdemont said the decision by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to fire the regional Government and force a new election was "the worst attack against the institutions and the people of Catalonia since the military dictatorship of Francisco Franco".

"I ask the Parliament to meet in a plenary session during which we, the representatives of the citizens' sovereignty, will be able to decide over this attempt to liquidate our Government and our democracy and act in consequence," Mr Puigdemont said in a televised speech.

Article 155 gives central authorities power to intervene when one of Spain's 17 autonomous regions fails to comply with the law.

It has not been applied since the 1978 constitution was adopted, but Mr Rajoy's conservative Government says establishing direct control over Catalonia was a last resort.

The move is expected to spark angry opposition from both independence supporters and moderate Catalans, who will see it as an attack on their autonomy.

Catalan grassroots organisations who have been key drivers in the secession bid called the measures "authoritarian" and urged the immediate proclamation of a new Catalan republic.

Other Spanish political parties were also aghast.

"We are in shock about the suspension of democracy in Catalonia," said Pablo Echenique of the far-left Podemos party, vowing to work to oust Mr Rajoy and his conservative Popular Party from the national government.

The slow-burning constitutional crisis over secession escalated this month when regional government officials held a disputed independence referendum on October 1.

They then declared the result which was strongly in favour of independence and gave them a legal basis for separating from Spain, even though the vote itself had numerous problems.

Spain's court declared it illegal, police intervention and violence to halt it made it chaotic, turnout was less than half the region's electorate and most opponents of independence boycotted it.

The country's Constitutional Court has so far ruled against all moves toward secession, including the Catalan referendum.

Catalan activist groups have called for another protest in Barcelona over the jailing of two pro-independence leaders being investigated on possible sedition charges. ( AP: Santi Palacios )

Court's website affected by vandalism

The court's website appeared to be offline on Saturday, and a spokeswoman said it had been affected by vandalism.

Spain's National Security Department said slogans supporting independence for Catalonia had popped up amid cyberattacks on a number of government websites.

Spain's opposition parties have agreed to support Mr Rajoy in revoking Catalonia's autonomy.

The pro-business Citizens party president Albert Rivera said he backed Mr Rajoy's measures because Catalonia needed to restore social unity and legal security so companies can remain in the region.

Hundreds have transferred their registered headquarters out of Catalonia to other areas in Spain, fearing the chaos that independence — or the fight over it — could bring.

Barcelona resident Rosa Isart said the Spanish Government's determination to prevent Catalonia from leaving Spain reminded her of the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco four decades ago.

"It seems unbelievable that I have to see this again because of the incompetence of these politicians who don't know how to speak to each other," she said.

Catalan activist groups have called for another protest in Barcelona over the jailing of two pro-independence leaders being investigated on possible sedition charges.

Members of the Catalan government, including Mr Puigdemont, plan to join the march.

Sorry, this video has expired Spain's king says Catalan authorities deliberately bent the law

AP