Catalan Leaders are Sacked After Catalonia Declares Independence

Today, the Catalan Parliament has voted for independence from the Kingdom of Spain by 70 votes to 2.

Mr Rajoy has plead to the Spanish Senate to grant him the “emergency powers” needed to stop Catalonia becoming independent by sacking the President of Catalonia and it’s Parliament. This even further escalates tensions in the region following the Prime Minister’s plan to meet the pro-independent citizens with force.

Direct rule by the Spanish government has been declared in Catalonia, but it is most likely the government will ignore the direct rule, and continue with the Declaration of Independence.

This declaration has been condemned by many nations and alliances, including the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, the United States, Germany, and the European Union just to name a small few.

Clearly, an independent Catalonia is against the interests of the international community, as they wish Spain to remain united for their national interests. However, Scottish First Minister and SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland supports Catalan independence and argues that the Catalan independence movement must be respected.

Prime Minister Rajoy announced that regional elections would be held in December and said the unprecedented act of imposing direct rule on the regional was needed to "recover normality in the region”. Spain is also rumored to be deploying the national police force to retain Catalonia under Madrid’s control.

The many countries declaring this independence movement illegal, have also refused to recognize the Declaration of Independence, and therefore refusing to recognize a Catalan Republic.

This is plunging Spain into political and economic turmoil, considering Catalonia to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful regions in Spain. Pro-government rallies are being held in Madrid and other cities that support the Spanish government, while pro-independence rallies are being held in Barcelona and all over Catalonia.

Many people outside of Catalonia wish this to end in a peaceful way, with most wishing Catalonia to remain Spanish. Nonetheless, no matter which side of the Independence spectrum they are on, they can all agree that violence should be out of the question.

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