Spain orders elections in Catalonia in step towards autonomy suspension

Spain’s government will force elections in Catalonia in January with the support of the official opposition, in one of the first steps toward withdrawing autonomy for the region.

PM Mariano Rajoy has reiterated his plan to invoke Article 155 of the Spanish constitution on Saturday, after regional president Carles Puigdemont refused to back down from his independence declaration from 10 October.

Catalan authorities carried out a referendum on 1 October which was ruled illegal by Spanish courts, leading to unrest within the north-eastern region.

Rajoy’s ruling Popular Party and the Socialist Party have agreed to implement a vote in the new year as part of actions to suspend the power of the regional authorities.

Invoking the article still requires approval in the Senate, but is expected to pass without difficulty as the chamber is dominated by the PP.

In an interview with national television on Friday, Socialist party spokesperson Carmen Calvo said both parties were in agreement about holding elections.

Meanwhile, Rajoy has been attending a summit of European leaders in Brussels on Friday, explaining that the unrest in Catalonia is down to the “irresponsible decisions” of the local government there.

"The disobedience of the law is the reason for what is happening," Rajoy said during a press conference.

"With other people who have a similar way of thinking, it would not have happened," he added.