Catalonia Bows to Spanish Authority as Rajoy's Strategy Prevails
- Spanish prosecutor starts process to charge Puigdemont
- Markets jump on signs that normality is returning to Catalonia
Puigdemont Faces Charges Over Catalan Independence
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Spain took control of the Catalan government with little resistance, bringing the restless region back from the edge as grassroots supporters of the independence movement cried betrayal.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy emerged victorious, at least for now, over the Catalan rebels, who declared a breakaway republic on Friday but only after squandering the momentum they enjoyed since an illegal referendum on Oct. 1. With Spain’s prosecutor pushing for charges of rebellion, ousted president Carles Puigdemont fled to Belgium, several newspapers reported, and La Sexta said he would seek asylum. His party didn’t confirm his whereabouts.