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Rajoy dismisses Catalan administration

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy
MADRID, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced on Saturday dismissing the local administration in Catalonia and calling for early parliamentary elections in the region.
Speaking at a news conference following an extraordinary Cabinet session, Rajoy said the ministers endorsed a series of measures as part of implementing Provision 155 of the Constitution, which empowers the central Government to coerce any Spanish region to Abide by the State laws and the National Constitution.
Rajoy has declared suspending jurisdictions of the Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, his deputy and members of the Government in the region. They will be succeeded by figures that will be appointed by the Madrid Government.
The Catalan Parliament, he adds, will pursue its "representation role," but will be stripped of the power to make any initiative that may contradict with the laws and the Constitution. Moreover, the Catalan Assembly cannot nominate a new leader for the region.
The premier has also declared that he will call for legislative elections in Catalonia as soon as possible, noting his prerogatives allow him to dissolve the parliament and call for voting.
These measures, he says further, aim at restoring legitimacy, citizens' co-existence in Catalonia and maintaining the economic recovery.
The Cabinet resolutions will be referred to the Senate, later today, pending endorsement next Friday. Rajoy's right-wing party, the People's Party, dominates the Senate.
Rajoy has taken the tough stance against the Catalan leadership after the latter failed to confirm whether it had declared independence from Madrid. Puigdemont, on Thursday, warned that the Catalan Parliament might vote for secession from Madrid.
Catalonia held a public referendum for independence from Madrid on October 1. Ninety percent of the estimated two million voters were in favor of the independence. Madrid declared that the polling was illegal and illegitimate. (end) hnd.rk