Catalan parliament declares independence from Spain
Mass protests broke out Saturday over the Spanish government’s plan...
Catalonia declared independence from Spain on Friday in a historic vote for secession that Madrid has vowed to quash.
The move was approved by the region’s parliament in a closed-door vote with 70 votes in favor, 10 against and two abstentions.
Dozens of opposition Catalan lawmakers boycotted the vote.
Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy urged peace across the country — as the Spanish Senate in Madrid prepared to approve government proposals to take direct control of Catalonia.
“I call on all Spaniards to remain calm. The rule of law will restore legality to Catalonia,” Rajoy tweeted.
With Post wires