Thousands of Catalans were planning protests for Saturday afternoon following Rajoy’s announcement.

(COMMONDREAMS) Thousands of Catalans were expected to protest Saturday afternoon after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced he would take control of Catalonia by invoking Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, weeks after the region’s independence referendum.

Defying the majority of Catalan voters who approved of a split from Spain in Catalonia’s independence referendum this month, Rajoy spoke at a press conference about his plans to transfer the power of the region’s president, Carles Puigdemont, to the central government, and hold early elections in the next six months.

Forty percent of Catalonia’s 5.5 eligible voters cast ballots in the referendum, despite a show of force by Spanish police that left nearly 900 people injured ahead of the October 1 vote.

Ninety percent of those who voted approved of independence, according to the regional government. Officials said that in addition to police violence, Spanish law enforcement raided polling stations, resulting in the loss of 770,000 ballots.

Following the vote, large crowds in Barcelona last weekend called for peaceful negotiations to determine the next step, but Rajoy has rejected dialogue on the grounds that the Spanish government sees Catalonia’s referendum as illegal.

Observers and supporters of Catalonia’s independence movement denounced Rajoy’s planned power grab on social media.

Rajoy is announcing direct rule in #Catalonia. Whole @catalangov to be chucked out of office. Forced elections within six months. — Kate Shea Baird (@KateSB) October 21, 2017

The end of Spanish Democracy. Madrid govt. activates coup against Catalonia. — Alfred Bosch (@AlfredBosch) October 21, 2017

Coup d'État against Catalonia. Rajoy move to suppress @catalangov and control Catalan police and TV. Goodbye Spain, time for independence. — Aleix Sarri Camargo (@aleixsarri) October 21, 2017

By Julia Conley / Creative Commons / Common Dreams / Report a typo

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