Catalan government
Invoking the never-before-used article 155 of the constitution, designed to rein in rebel regions, the Spanish government has proposed to dismiss the entire Catalan regional executive, including president Carles Puigdemont and vice-president Oriol Junqueras.
They would be replaced by nominees from the central government. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says national ministries will take over for as long as this “exceptional situation” lasts.
The measures also seek power for Rajoy to call elections for a new regional parliament “in a maximum timeframe of six months from the Senate’s approval”.
They may also replace anyone working in a public entity, such as the region’s broadcasters.
