The daily newspaper La Vanguardia, which blends moderate Catalan nationalism with centrist sensibilities, welcomed the announcement of regional elections after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy revoked the region's autonomy. "We applaud Rajoy for his decision," the paper wrote.

The newspaper also condemned Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, whom Rajoy ordered removed from office, for "unacceptably and repeatedly" ignoring the will of unionists who wished to stay part of Spain.

"We have said on several occasions that elections seemed to us the best solution to untangle the convoluted Catalan political situation," the newspaper wrote. "We continue affirming it."

Must read: Is Catalan independence a second coup in democratic Spain?

La Vanguardia also noted the historic nature of Friday's events. "It's difficult to imagine a more transcendental day, of greater and more decisive political intensity than yesterday," the paper wrote, noting the fact that central government's seizure of power over the region had come so swiftly after the legislature declared independence. "Catalonia, a land very prone in recent times to historic days, probably saw the most historic of all yesterday," La Vanguardia wrote.

Hello, Republic!

The Catalan-language newspaper El Punt Avui gave positive coverage to the declaration of a new Catalan republic. "Hola, Republica!" the front page trumpeted.

The newspaper, which began publication in Girona, the heartland of Catalonia's independence movement, noted that things would not be easy.

"We face difficult days in which controlling the streets and the economy will be the key to the future of the new republic," an editorial read. "The EU and most of its member states, along with the US, have aligned themselves with the Spanish government." The newspaper noted that European Council President Donald Tusk had urged Spain's central authorities to find a peaceful resolution.

El Punt Avui also espoused peace: "The defense of our institutions is crucial and must be carried out with the wisdom and the peaceful determination shown so far in the process of building the new country, establishing bridges of dialogue to normalize the situation and keep the country in the bounds of peace, civility and dignity."

'Many thanks, Catalonia'

Gara, a successor to the leftist Basque nationalist newspaper Egin, also splashed the proclamation of the Catalan republic on its front page. The paper displayed a large photo of celebrating Catalans and heralded the declaration of independence as a success.

Watch video 01:59 Share Catalonia says yes, Madrid says no Send Facebook google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit Newsvine Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/2mevG Catalonia says yes, Madrid says no

"The Catalan Republic has moved the frontiers of Europe, whether Europe and those who manage it like it or not; not only the physical borders but also the political ones, which mark the difference between justice and injustice, freedom and submission, democracy and totalitarianism," the paper wrote. "For all of this, many thanks Catalonia!"

Gara acknowledged that there could be trouble ahead.

"Everyone is aware of the severity of what is coming next," the newspaper wrote. "The Spanish state, its institutions and its establishment have declared war on the people of Catalonia. They are ruthless and merciless, bellicose and obtuse."

From all angles, Spanish media generally agreed that the future was uncertain

'Democracy will prevail'

The left-leaning national daily El Pais warned that the independence declaration had "unleashed the most serious constitutional crisis that Spanish democracy has faced in its 40 years of existence."

The newspaper accused the Catalan government of lacking the courage to call snap regional elections: "With the dissolution of parliament and the bringing forward of elections to December 21, Rajoy is doing what Puigdemont ought to have done but did not dare."

El Pais remained upbeat in its assessment of what would come.

"The state, because it acts in the name of citizens and democracy, can and must triumph in this task and must do so clearly and with full confidence in itself," the newspaper wrote. "On the path that it is now taking, there can be no room for doubt about the validity of the constitution and the future of coexistence."

Read more: An 'unknown disaster' looms in Catalonia's crisis

The government can count on the support of the European Union and "all citizens who want to continue living in a democracy that deserves such a name," the paper wrote.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Rich ancient heritage Catalonia has been settled by the Phoenicians, the Etruscans and the Greeks, who were mainly in the coastal areas of Rosas and Empuries (above). Then came the Romans, who built more settlements and infrastructure. Catalonia remained a part of the Roman Empire until it was conquered by the Visigoths in the fifth century.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Counties and independence Catalonia was conquered by Arabs in 711 AD. The Frankish king Charlemagne stopped their advance at Tours on the Loire River and, by 759, the north of Catalonia was once again Christian. In 1137, the counties that made up Catalonia entered an alliance with the Crown of Aragon.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Autonomy and the war of succession In the 13th century, the institutions of Catalan self-administration were created under the banner of the Generalitat de Catalunya. After the unification of the Crown of Aragon with that of Castile in 1476, Aragon was largely able to keep its autonomic institutions. However, the Catalan revolt — from 1640 to 1659 — saw parts of Catalonia ceded to present-day France.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Remembrance of defeat After the conquest of Barcelona on September 11, 1714, by the Bourbon King Phillip V, Catalan instuitutions were dissolved and self-administration came to an end. Every year, on September 11, Catalans commemorate the end of their right to autonomy.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Federal ideas in wider republic After the abdication of King Amadeo I of Spain, the first Spanish Republic was declared in February 1873. It lasted barely a year. The supporters of the Republic were split – one group supporting the idea of a centralized republic, the others wanting a federal system. Pictured here is Francisco Pi i Maragall, a supporter of federalism and one of five presidents of the short-lived republic.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Failed attempt Catalonia sought to establish a new state within the Spanish republic, but this only served to exacerbate the differences between republicans, ultimately dividing and weakening them. In 1874, the monarchy and the House of Bourbon (led by King Alfonso XII, pictured here) took the helm.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Catalan Republic Between 1923 — with the support of the monarchy, the army and the church — General Primo de Rivera declared a dictatorship. Catalonia became a center of opposition and resistance. After the end of the dictatorship, the politician Francesc Macia (pictured here) successfully pressed for important rights of autonomy for Catalonia.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history The end of freedom In the Second Spanish Republic, Catalan lawmakers worked on the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia. This was approved by the Spanish parliament in 1932. Francesc Macia was elected president of the Generalitat of Catalonia by the Catalan parliament. However, the victory of Franco at the end of the Spanish Civil War (1936 to 1939) put an end to all that.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Loss of liberties The Franco regime ruled with an iron rod. Political parties were banned and the Catalan language and culture were surpressed.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history New autonomy by statute After the first parliamentary elections that followed the end of the Franco dictatorship, the Generalitat of Catalonia was provisionally restored. Under the democratic Spanish constitution of 1978, Catalonia was given a new Statute of Autonomy just a year later.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history New and different statute The new Statute of Autonomy recognized the autonomy of Catalonia and the importance of the Catalan language. In comparison to the 1932 statute, it was enhanced in the fields of culture and education but curtailed when it came to the realm of justice. Pictured here is Jordi Pujol, the long-time head of the government of Catalonia after the dictatorship.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Stronger self-awareness A desire for independence has grown stronger in recent years. In 2006, Catalonia was given a new statute that broadened the Catalan government's powers. However, it lost these after a complaint by the conservative Popular Party to the Constitutional Court of Spain.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history First referendum A referendum on independence was already envisaged for November 9, 2014. The first question was "Do you want Catalonia to become a state?" In the case of an affirmative answer, the second question was posed: "Do you want this state to be independent?" However, the Constitutional Court suspended the vote.

Catalonia's independence movement — a brief history Clash of the titans Since January 2016, Carles Puigdemont has been president of the Catalan government. He proceeded with the separatist course of his predecessor Artur Mas and called the new referendum for October 1, 2017. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dismissed this as unconstitutional. Author: Richard Connor



"Spanish democracy, with the support of all, will prevail," El Pais proclaimed.

'Strength is needed'

The right-leaning national newspaper El Mundo's editorial pointed to the Catalan government's declaration of independence in October 1934 and the subsequent Spanish Civil War, charging that the regional government had failed to learn from history.

"On this occasion, a parliament hijacked by coup forces — and warned ad nauseam about the consequences of its actions — unilaterally declared independence and proclaimed the Catalan republic without looking back to check on the sanity and legality of such moves, or support for them from the outside," the paper wrote.

Read more: In Catalonia, language and identity go hand in hand

It went on to question Rajoy's decision to call elections in December without demonstratively exercising his wide-ranging powers under Article 155 to ensure the "full restoration of respect for the constitution."

"We do not hide our doubts about an uncertain electoral process," El Mundo wrote, urging measured force by the Spanish government. "It will need strength but, given the dimensions of the rebellion, that strength is legitimate," the paper wrote.