Spain acts to maintain direct rule on Catalonia

Spain acted to maintain direct rule on Catalonia on Monday after the government objected to the choice of councillors by fervent separatist leader Quim Torra who has vowed to recreate the administration fired by Madrid for declaring independence.
Madrid and Barcelona are engaged in a stand-off after regional elections called by the government in December returned a majority of seats for pro-independence parties. Madrid has imposed direct rule until a new regional government is in place.
It is uncertain now when direct rule will be lifted. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Monday he hoped Catalonia would soon form a viable government that would obey the law.
"I hope there will soon be a government that is viable, that obeys the law and that enters into dialogue with us - one that will work to recover institutional and political normality in our country," he said in a speech at an event in Galicia.

The Spanish government on Monday recognised the powers of newly-elected leader Torra but refused to ratify his choice of councillors - four of whom are facing charges linked to last year's independence drive, official documents showed.
Two of the four men are being held in...

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