Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont called on Catalans for peaceful opposition as the Spanish government formally took control of Catalonia. "We will continue to work to build a free state," Puigdemont said in his first televised address to the public since he was ousted by the Spanish government. His speech appears to have been pre-recorded, as Spanish television "La Sexta" simultaneously showed Puigdemont having lunch at a bar in his hometown of Girona, where he was occasionally interrupted by residents asking to pose for selfies with him. Puigdemont's address to the public was broadcast by regional TV3. The video shows the leader of the Catalan separatists speaking at a podium with the insignia of the Catalan government, while the flags of Catalonia and the EU, but not Spain, are visible behind him. Deputies in the Catalan Parliament declared yesterday the independence of that region from Spain, and shortly afterwards the Senate of the Parliament of Spain approved the proposal for the Government to take control of Catalonia, and the introduction of emergency measures in that area in accordance with Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution. Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria was entrusted with the management of Catalonia after the decision of the central government in Madrid to introduce forced administration in Catalonia, it was announced today in the Spanish Official Gazette. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who ousted Carles Puigdemont, activated Article 155 of the Constitution, dissolved the regional parliament and called regional elections in Catalonia for December 21. The activation of Article 155 of the Constitution means the introduction of forced administration over Catalonia, that is, the central government takes control of the Catalan government, police, finances, state media and communications until regional elections are held.
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