Catalonia's parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, shortly before Madrid voted to impose direct rule.

Tens of thousands of independence supporters chanted their joyous support as they gathered nearby.

Watching events from inside on two giant screens, they clapped and shouted "independence" in Catalan.

The motion said Catalonia was an independent, sovereign and social democratic state, and called on other countries and institutions to recognise it.

Opposition parties boycotted it.


Minutes after the vote, Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, called for "calm from all Spaniards".

"The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia," he tweeted.

Mr Rajoy has called a cabinet meeting for 6pm UK time.

The European Commission declined to comment. Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has repeatedly described the subject is an internal Spanish issue.

Shares in Catalan banks fell after the result of the vote became clear.

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Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/spain-crisis-catalonia-parliament-backs-independence-madrid-133900355.html