Spain To Sack Catalan Regional Government As Independence Crisis Deepens

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 22: The Parliament of Catalonia in the Parc de la Ciutadella on October 22, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. The Spanish government announced measures yesterday it will implement in triggering Article 155, which would lead to the imposition of direct rule by Spanish authorities in Catalonia and at least temporarily suspend the region's autonomy. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he would begin the process of removing Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont from office. The Spanish government also plans to hold Catalan regional elections in January. The moves come after Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont let a Thursday deadline pass and threatened to go forward with Catalan independence. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)