madrid/barcelona catalonia leaders say saturday would accept direct rule impose region spanish government political crisis rattle economy raise fear prolong unrest show sign ease spanish prime minister mariano rajoy announce early saturday would invoke special constitutional power fire regional government force new election counter region move towards independence catalan president carles puigdemont make symbolic declaration independence oct. 10 referendum secede call rajoy move bad attack people catalonia since spain military dictatorship first time since spain return democracy central government use power seize control regional administration rajoy say necessary end crisis fracture country prompt spain reduce growth forecast euro zone fourth-largest economy take party peaceful demonstration puigdemont express rejection madrid move stop short say would make good threat push ahead independence bid direct rule take effect ask catalan parliament meet plenary session representatives citizens sovereignty able decide attempt liquidate government democracy act consequence puigdemont say televise address rajoy act back main opposition party madrid king felipe need authorization spain upper house parliament impose direct rule objective restore law normal cohabitation among citizens deteriorate lot continue economic recovery threat today catalonia celebrate elections situation normality say senate vote would give madrid full control catalonia finance police public media curb power regional parliament six months schedule next friday could give independence movement room maneuver regional parliament speaker carme forcadell say would accept madrid move accuse rajoy coup prime minister rajoy want parliament catalonia stop democratic parliament allow happen forcadell say televise speech assembly expect decide monday whether hold session formally proclaim republic catalonia catalan media say puigdemont could dissolve regional parliament call elections next friday catalan law elections would take place within two months would enable puigdemont go poll early envisage rajoy speak six-month timetable exploit anti-madrid sentiment run high region pro-independence group previously muster million people onto streets protest madrid refusal negotiate solution puigdemont cabinet colleagues join demonstration barcelona wear yellow ribbons support two senior independence campaigners jail charge sedition freedom freedom tens thousands protesters chant waive independence flag sign read defend land crime let proclaim republic rajoy trigger article resolve anything say 38-year-old builder abel fernandez attend demonstration pro-independence flag tie around neck able keep quiet half catalonia favor independence favor right decide catalan authorities say 90 percent take part referendum oct. vote independence 43 percent electorate participate opponents secession stay home independence push meet strong opposition across rest spain divide catalonia also prompt hundreds firm move headquarter region rajoy saturday urge stay center-right people party pp government insist puigdemont break law several time push independence receive unequivocal back opposition socialist party differences pp territorial unity none say socialist leader pedro sanchez heavy-handed police tactics shut referendum condemn human right group secessionists accuse madrid take political prisoners catalonia 's leaders fight direct rule madrid