madrid/barcelona sack catalonian president carles puigdemont saturday call peaceful democratic opposition central government takeover region follow unilateral declaration independence spain puigdemont whose regional government dismiss spanish prime minister mariano rajoy friday accuse madrid premeditate aggression catalans rajoy remove puigdemont take administration autonomous region call new election catalonia parliament declare independent nation friday bold appearances futile action mark potentially dangerous escalation spain bad political crisis four decades since return democracy clear best form defend gain make democratic opposition article 155 puigdemont say brief statement read catalan city girona refer legal trigger takeover vague precisely step secessionists would take national authorities already move barcelona part catalonia enforce control spanish government spokesman inigo mendez de vigo say would welcome puigdemont participation regional elections call dec. 21. quite sure puigdemont take part elections exercise democratic opposition mendez de vigo tell reuters tv interview european countries unite state mexico reject catalan declaration express support spain unity puigdemont sign statement president catalonia demonstrate accept oust continue persevere attitude make us winners without violence without insult ... also respect protest catalans agree parliamentary majority decide say secessionists say referendum oct. give mandate independence however less half eligible voters turn ballot madrid declare illegal try stop opinion poll show half 5.3 million people eligible vote wealthy northeastern region already autonomous want break spain emotions run high next days tricky madrid embark enforce direct rule call new regional election something gamble prime minister mariano rajoy could increase number pro-independence supporters new parliament mendez de vigo say would give catalans final say felt ask would happen puigdemont face prosecution mendez de vigo say judicial political power separate spain one law comment catalonia police force tell officer stay neutral step towards avert possible conflict follow doubt mossos esquadra call would respond order evict puigdemont government force rive distrust independence also estrange spain national police force mossos national officer tell reuters catalan officer stand national police try vote referendum give likely increase gather rally citizens ... people different thoughts must remember responsibility guarantee security help take place without incident internal memo say government build headquarter national political party port airports court bank spain guard interior ministry say units regional force could replace events make necessary say madrid government also sack mossos chief josep lluis trapero become hero secessionists force take much soft stance national police enforce referendum ban spain high court bar trapero leave country seize passport part investigation allege sedition although order arrest barcelona thousands independence supporters pack sant jaume square front regional headquarter friday night wave catalan flag sing traditional songs catalan language band play trouble overnight streets quiet saturday main secessionist group catalan national assembly urge civil servants follow order spanish government mount peaceful resistance pro-independence trade union csc call strike government say would ensure minimum service 1,000 people take part pro-unity rally madrid saturday others turn northern city valladolid indication resentment independence drive cause rest spain aitor sanchez 30-year-old worker say sadden government take control catalonia choice delicate moments country believe must respect law chaos prompt exodus businesses catalonia contribute fifth spain economy fourth-largest euro zone tourism hugely popular barcelona hit market show sign concern european leaders also denounce push fear could fan separatist sentiment around continent sack catalonia leader call opposition madrid 's rule