Lawmakers in Catalonia's regional parliament in Spain on Friday voted to secede from Spain and establish an independent Republic.
The Catalonian parliament's decision to declare independence came even as the Madrid government was preparing to impose direct rule over Catalonia where secessionists have been yearning for a separate nation for long.
The motion that was passed after an intense debate in parliament was received with jubilation by more than 2000 people that gathered in the Ciutadella Park outside the parliament building shouting 'Liberty' in Catalan.
But the celebrations might be short-lived given the Spanish government's move to impose direct rule over Catalonia on Friday, stripping the region of the autonomy that it had. This was less than an hour after its parliament declared independence in a stunning display of defiance to Madrid.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the rule of law would be restored in Catalonia and urged the people to remain calm. He also dissolved the parliament of Catalonia.