Catalonia Independence: Spain To Take Control Of Catalan Institutions
On Friday, Madrid stripped Catalonia of its autonomy and removed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont from office.
The temporary move will see as many as 150 of the region’s ministers replaced. Some have vowed to continue to work.
Mr Puigdemont and other Catalan officials may face criminal charges, a move likely to lead to huge protests.
Spain’s central government is set to take control of Catalan institutions with Spanish officials expected to be put in place in the region’s ministries on Monday.
Madrid has called for the Spanish constitutional court to revoke Catalonia’s unilateral vote for independence.
Mr Puigdemont and his vice-president Oriol Junqueras say they do not accept the moves by Madrid, adding that they can only be removed from office by the citizens of Catalonia.
If Mr Puigdemont and others refuse to step aside, they face possible arrest and prosecution on charges of rebellion – the maximum sentence for which is 30 years.
About 200,000 civil servants are due to arrive on Monday, but it is not clear how many will stay away or refuse to follow instructions.
The former Catalan Sustainability Minister, Josep Rull, said he was continuing with his “scheduled agenda” and posted an image on Twitter showing him at his desk.
“I’m at the office carrying out the responsibilities that the people [of Catalonia] entrusted to us,” he wrote.
However, Madrid has given Catalan ministers hours to pack up their belongings and leave their offices or Catalonia’s regional police force, known as Mossos, will “act”.
Spain’s chief prosecutor has also been preparing criminal charges against any officials considered to have acted against Spanish law in declaring independence following a referendum deemed illegal under the Spanish constitution.
Meanwhile, Madrid has called for fresh regional elections on 21 December.
Mr Puigdemont could run in new elections, according to Mr Dastis, but only if the sacked Catalan leader has not been jailed.
