Less than an hour after the vote, Madrid invoked Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, allowing Spain to sack an autonomous region's government, impose direct rule and call new elections. For the moment, however, pro-independence Catalans in the streets of Barcelona are reveling in their victory.
A photographer on hand to capture the Barcelona crowd's reaction to parliament's announcement managed to snap the reaction of one young woman, showing as her face turned from nervous anticipation to excitement and joy.
The motion declaring the region's independence was passed with 70 votes in the 135-strong assembly, with 10 voting against. Opposition lawmakers walked out of the chamber in protest ahead of the vote. Catalan parliament president Carme Forcadell asked the European Union to recognize the declaration of independence. European Council President Donald Tusk has said that for the EU, the vote changes nothing, and that "Spain remains our only interlocutor."
Catalonia held an independence referendum on October 1, with over 90.18% of those who participated supporting secession amid voter turnout of over 43%. Madrid called the referendum "illegal."
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed Friday to restore rule of law in the region, adding that the measures aimed at bringing Catalonia back under Madrid's control could take up to six months.
