"This represents the removal of our self-government and the democratic will of the Catalans," the Catalan Regional Government tweeted of President Carles Puigdemont's speech.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had announced a new plan to sack all regional ministers, install its own politicians, and call for new elections.
"All the proposals for dialogue addressed to the Spanish state have had the same answer: either silence or repression," said Puigdemont.
"Democratically deciding the future of a nation is not a crime. This goes against the foundations that unite European citizens"
Spain invoked Article 155 of its constitution in order to "restore normalcy."
“There is no country in the world ready to allow this kind of situation within its borders,” Rajoy said Saturday. “It is my wish to call elections as soon as normality is restored.”
Catalan Parliament Speaker Carme Forcadell questioned the values the central government and its place in Europe.
“Mariano Rajoy has announced a de facto coup d’etat with the goal of ousting a democratically elected government," said the speaker, calling it “an authoritarian blow within a member of the European Union."
Rajoy's steps on Saturday came after a special session with his Cabinet. Catalonia had not declared independence on Saturday.
Catalonia’s leaders ignored an earlier ruling by a Spanish court and went ahead with its referendum for independence as Spain’s government condemned the vote as illegal.
About 90 percent of the people in Catalonia voted for independence, according to Catalan government figures. Most votes were counted despite police efforts. However, turnout was only 42 percent.
