The Spanish government fired Catalonia's political leaders, dissolved its legislature and called for a snap election on Friday after the region's parliament declared independence.

"It's not about suspending or meddling in the self-government (of Catalonia), but to return it to normality and legality as soon as possible," Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in a televised address.

The move came hours after the Spanish Senate granted the government special powers to halt Catalonia's independence bid. Regional elections will be held on December 21.

Spain's supreme court had ruled the secession bid to be "illegal."

Other measures included shutting down Catalonia's overseas representation offices, dismissing representatives from Madrid and Brussels, and firing the Catalan regional police head.

Roughly 7.5 million people are represented by the Catalan parliament. They planned protests into the night, and many regional government workers are expected to follow a policy of non-cooperation.

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8:30 p.m.

UK labels Catalan independence declaration 'illegal' and 'unilateral'

A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Theresa May said the United Kingdom is siding with the Spanish courts.

"The UK does not and will not recognise the Unilateral Declaration of Independence made by the Catalan regional parliament," read a statement on Friday.

10 Downing Street wants to see "the rule of law upheld, the Spanish Constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved."

The statement noted the Spanish courts declared the vote illegal.
 

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8:15 p.m.

Germany 'does not recognize such a declaration of independence'

The German government called the proclamation of independence by Catalonia "unilateral" and says it is concerned about renewed escalation.

"The federal government of Germany supports the clear stance of the Prime Minister [Rajoy] to ensure and restore constitutional order," tweeted Steffen Seibert, the spokesperson of the German government.

Germany stated "unilaterally declared independence" violates the territorial sovereignty of Spain.

"The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Spain are and will remain inviolable," added Berlin.

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6:55 p.m.

US backs Spanish government's measures

The US State Department made clear that it supports actions taken by the federal government in Madrid to protect Spanish unity.

"Catalonia is an integral part of Spain, and the United States supports the Spanish government's constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and United," stated Heather Nauert, the State Department spokesperson on Friday.

The statement noted cooperation between Spain and the United States in security and economic matters.

Spain is a NATO and US-led international coalition to defeat ISIS member.

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6:30 p.m.

European Council prefers peace in Spain

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, tweeted that it does not recognize Catalonia and it prefers "argument" over "force" by the Spanish government.

"For EU nothing changes," wrote Tusk in a tweet. "Spain remains our only interlocutor.

"I hope the Spanish government favours force of argument, not argument of force."