These are some of the actions Spain can react to if Catalon becomes independent

CNBC describes options the Spanish government can make if Catalonia declares independence:

Article 155 defined by the Spanish Constitution

The call of Article 155, which has never been used before, would allow the Spanish central government in Madrid to lift Catalonia's autonomy, whether partially or entirely.

The article may be approved if an autonomous community does not abide by the constitution or acts “in a way that seriously attacks Spain's overall interest”.

It would take a few days for this process to take place, because Rajoy would have to formally announce the Catalonian President, Carlos Puigdemont and the Catalonian government and then decide that for a vote in the Senate if Puigdemond refused the announcement, broadcast Indesksonline.

If approved, the entire Catalonas parliament, consisting of 135 members, would scatter and the new national elections would have to take place within the next two months, explained Marina Diaz Crisboal, a professor of political history and sciences in Barcelona.

Military Law and a Surprising Status

The Spanish government can use the army to take direct control of the Catalonian region. This option would have very little chance, especially against police violence against Catalonian citizens that took place last week, which triggered a general strike Tuesday.

If the Spanish government declared the state of emergency, it could carry out actions that could normally not be subjected to the Constitution to regain control of the Catalonian region.

Like military law, the government will most likely bring the decision to the national police.

Negotiations

Rajoy has been clear that he will not discuss the illegal referendum.

The two leaders could accept the mediation of a third party, so a new relationship between Catalonia and Spain could be created, Cristobal said, perhaps through a constitutional change.

Puigfemont has returned to the European Commission, the EU executive arm, for help, praying for “international intermediation” last week. However, the EU stands behind Rajoy and calls the situation an internal conflict. /Indesksonline/