Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Takes Charge of Controlling Catalonia

The deputy prime minister has just been given the task of taking control of Catalonia, as Madrid strips the region of its autonomy.

Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria. Photo: Telegraph.

Control of Catalonia was handed over to the Deputy Prime Minister on the morning of October 28.Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, in an official state news release, according to the BBC.

Earlier, senior Catalan police officials were stripped of their powers.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced on October 27 that he was dissolving parliament and removing the Catalan leader, ordering local elections, after parliament voted to pass a resolution declaring the establishment of the Catalan state with 70 votes in favor, 10 votes against and two abstentions.

Protests against and in support of Catalonia's secession from Spain continued overnight. More protests are planned today, including one "for the unity of Spain and the constitution" in Madrid.

On October 1, 90% of the 2.26 million Catalan voters who cast ballots in a referendum agreed to secede from Spain. Mr Puigdemont then declared independence but postponed it to negotiate with Madrid.

According to VNE