Spanish PM announces reduction of Catalan powers without dissolving parliament

Mariano Rajoy says that he will call elections in the northeastern region “as soon as institutional normality” returns. Regional premier Carles Puigdemont will be removed from his position

In a news conference following a two-hour Cabinet meeting on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced that Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont, his deputy and all the members of the Catalan government will be removed as part of emergency measures to restore the law in the breakaway region.

He also said that elections will be held in Catalonia as soon as possible within the next six months. “It is my wish to call elections as soon as normality is restored,” said Rajoy.