Spanish vice president to lead attempt to impose direct rule over Catalonia

The Spanish government is set to carry on its attempt to impose direct rule over Catalonia on Saturday, a day after the parliament voted on a declaration of independence bringing the political crisis between executives in Madrid and Barcelona to new heights. With Catalan pro-independence leaders no longer recognizing orders from Spain, the question now is whether Article 155 of the Constitution can effectively be put into effect.

After announcing the removal of the Catalan government, the dissolution of the Parliament, and fresh polls for December 21, Spanish president Mariano Rajoy delegated the task to assume the main responsibilities  of the Catalan executive to his vice president and right-hand woman, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría.