Spanish Prime Minister Dissolves Catalan Parliament, Fires Leader

Prime Minister of Spain, Rajoy has dissolved Catalan parliament after they declared independence from Spain

Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy says he is dissolving the Catalan parliament and calling regional elections over its push for independence.

The prime minister said the unprecedented imposition of direct rule on Catalonia was essential to "recover normality" in the region.

He is also firing Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and his cabinet.

Earlier the Catalan parliament unilaterally voted to declare independence.