The crisis began when Catalan leaders held an independence referendum, defying a ruling by the Constitutional Court which had declared it illegal.<\/p>\n
The Catalan government said that of the 43% of potential voters who took part, 90% were in favour of independence. Others boycotted the vote after the court ruling.<\/p>\n
What are the latest developments?<\/strong><\/p>\n On Friday afternoon, the Catalan regional parliament voted to declare independence from Spain.<\/p>\n Soon after, the Spanish Senate granted Mr Rajoy’s government the power to impose direct rule on Catalonia.<\/p>\n It did so early on Saturday by publishing\u00a0an official bulletin\u00a0(in Spanish) that dismissed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and all government members.<\/p>\n The announcement came hours after the Madrid government removed Josep Llu\u00eds Trapero \u00c1lvarez as chief of Catalonia’s autonomous Mossos police force.<\/p>\n Mr Trapero was already under investigation for sedition, accused of failing to help Spain’s Guardia Civil police tackle thousands of pro-independence protesters in Barcelona during the run-up to the referendum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “[Mr Puigdemont] had the opportunity to return to legality and to call elections,” Mr Rajoy said.<\/p>\n “It is what the majority of the Catalonian people asked for – but he didn’t want to do it. So the government of Spain is taking the necessary measures to return to legality.”<\/p>\n Regional elections are scheduled for 21 December.<\/p>\n Mr Puigdemont urged supporters to “maintain the momentum” in a peaceful manner. Spanish prosecutors say they will file charges of “rebellion” against him next week.<\/p>\n Separatists say the independence move means they no longer fall under Spanish jurisdiction.<\/p>\n But the Spanish Constitutional Court is likely to declare it illegal, while the EU, the US, the UK, Germany and France all expressed support for Spanish unity.<\/p>\n What powers did Catalonia have?<\/strong><\/p>\n Prior to Madrid taking over the Catalan government, the region had one of the greatest levels of self-government in Spain.<\/p>\n It has its own parliament, police force and public broadcaster, as well as a government and president, though those have now been dismissed.<\/p>\n Catalans had\u00a0a range of powers\u00a0in many policy areas from culture and environment to communications, transportation, commerce and public safety.<\/p>\n Foreign affairs, the armed forces and fiscal policy were always the sole responsibility of the Spanish government.<\/p>\n What’s the reaction been?<\/strong><\/p>\n Thousands celebrated the declaration of independence on the streets of Barcelona, Catalonia’s regional capital.<\/p>\n The same crowds that cheered each Yes vote from Catalan MPs reportedly booed Mr Rajoy as he made his announcement.<\/p>\n There were pro-unity demonstrations too, with protesters in Barcelona waving Spanish flags and denouncing Catalan independence. A large pro-unity rally is expected in Madrid on Saturday.<\/p>\n In other reaction:<\/p>\n How did we get here?<\/strong><\/p>\n After the 1 October referendum, Mr Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence but delayed implementation to allow talks with the Spanish government.<\/p>\n He ignored warnings by the Madrid government to cancel the move, prompting Mr Rajoy to first announce his plans to remove Catalan leaders and impose direct rule.<\/p>\n Catalonia is one of Spain’s richest, most distinctive regions, with a high degree of autonomy.<\/p>\n Many Catalans feel they pay more to Madrid than they get back, and there are historical grievances, too, in particular Catalonia’s treatment under the dictatorship of General Franco. But Catalans have been divided on the question of independence.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/images\/ic\/720x405\/p05l8231.jpg\")
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