Amid continuing tension in Catalonia, the Spanish Foreign Minister today denied his government's plan to impose direct rule on the region amounted to a political coup d'etat.
Alfonso Dastis also said he hopes the people of Catalonia disregard any instructions coming from the regional leaders behind a controversial drive for independence.
It has been three weeks since Catalans voted to break away from Spain.
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Yesterday in Barcelona, tens of thousands of people protested against a plan by the Spanish government to impose direct rule.
The Catalan President Carles Puigdemont branded the move illegal, but today Mr Dastis said the day-to-day affairs of Catalonia would be run according to Catalan laws.
It is the first time since Spain's return to democracy that the central government has used its powers to seize control of a regional administration.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who acted with backing from the main opposition party in Madrid and King Felipe, needs the authorisation of Spain's upper house of parliament to impose direct rule.
The Senate vote that would give Madrid full control of Catalonia's finances, police and public media, and curb the powers of the regional parliament for up to six months is scheduled for Friday.
