Sacked Catalan president calls for "democratic opposition"

MADRID, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- Catalonia region's dismissed President Carles Puigdemont called on Catalans to hold a "democratic opposition" against Spanish government's recent actions in the region using the application of Article 155 of the country's constitution.
Puigdemont, in a recorded statement aired by Spanish TV3 Saturday, described the Spanish government's orders as "intentional hostility", urging fellow Catalans to continue working to build a "free country".
He also asked them not to abandon their stands, not to apply violence or insults against whoever opposes their opinions, and urged them to remain patient and persistent.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy appointed his Deputy Soraya Saenz de Santamaria to take control of the Catalan regional government.
The Spanish Premier announced his decision late Friday following the dismissal of Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont, his Vice-President Oriol Junqueras and his cabinet, and the dissolution of the regional parliament.
His dismissal of the Catalan regional government came in response to a unilateral declaration of independence voted through by Catalonia's parliament.
Rajoy has assumed the leading functions of Catalonia's regional government to Saenz de Santamaria in line with the central executive's application of Article 155 of the Constitution, which was approved late Friday. (pickup previous).
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