Catalan parliament declares independence - Spanish government to impose direct rule over Catalonia

The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region.


Catalan MPs backed the motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy earlier told senators direct rule was needed to return "law, democracy and stability" to Catalonia.

• Soon after the vote at the regional parliament, the Senate - Spain's upper house - made the unprecedented step of approving measures allowing the Spanish government to impose direct rule over Catalonia.

There were 214 votes in favour and 47 against.
  BBC
27/10/17