UPDATE: The Spanish government has fired Catalonia's Cabinet and the parliament will be dissolved.
BREAKING: Spanish government fires Catalonia's Cabinet after lawmakers vote to make region independent from Spain.
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 27, 2017
BREAKING: Spanish PM Rajoy says he's dissolving the Catalan parliament and calling a regional election for Dec. 21.
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 27, 2017
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The Catalan parliament has officially voted to declare independence from Spain, about four weeks after the region's citizens overwhelmingly voted for independence. Seventy members of parliament voted in favor of independence, 10 against, and two abstained. This legislation would form an independent "Republic of Catalonia."
The moment the Catalan parliament votes to declare independence from Spain https://t.co/SsFrYwEEtk pic.twitter.com/MFAr93UDau
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 27, 2017
After the vote, there was much celebration in the streets, and the members of the Catalan parliament sung the Catalonian anthem, "Els Segadors."
Catalan parliament sings the Catalonian anthem after voting in favour of declaring independence from Spain pic.twitter.com/txKUQsSfz6
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 27, 2017
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Brey called for "tranquility," and said that the rule of law will be restored in the region.
Pido tranquilidad a todos los españoles. El Estado de Derecho restaurará la legalidad en Cataluña. MR
— Mariano Rajoy Brey (@marianorajoy) October 27, 2017
The Spanish Senate quickly voted to invoke Article 155 of the country's constitution, which imposes direct rule over the region of Catalonia. The Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, is likely to be ousted from power as a result.
Spanish Senate approves invoking Article 155 of Spanish Constitution, paving way for direct rule of Catalonia.
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) October 27, 2017