Spanish PM asks for 'calm' after Catalan Parliament votes for independence

MADRID -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday asked for "calm" in the wake of the decision taken by the Catalan Parliament to proclaim the independence of the region.

Rajoy tweeted: "I ask for calm from all of the Spaniards. The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia."

The tweet came just minutes after the Catalan "parliament" had voted with 70 votes in favor, 10 against and with 2 blank ballot papers to support "the formation of a Catalan Republic as an independent and sovereign state with social and democratic rights".

The Spanish Senate is currently debating applying Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution to Catalonia to sack Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and his executive, and hand control of Catalan institutions to Madrid.

Some media reports say the Spanish cabinet to meet at 7:00 pm Friday on the application.