This legal provision became notable after it was activated by the Spanish Senate to dismiss the Government of Catalonia and dissolve Parliament after the proclamation of a Catalan declaration of independence on 27 October 2017.
The Constitutional Court ruled the declaration to be null and void,[2] an opinion shared by a significant number of legal scholars.
In a ruling issued on 5 July 2019, the Constitutional Court established that Article 155 is an "exceptional and subsidiary remedy" that must be limited in time.
If an Autonomous Community does not fulfil the obligations imposed upon it by the Constitution or other laws, or acts in a way seriously prejudicing the general interests of Spain, the Government, after lodging a complaint with the President of the Autonomous Community and failing to receive satisfaction therefore, may, following approval granted by an absolute majority of the Senate, take the measures necessary in order to compel the latter forcibly to meet said obligations, or in order to protect the above-mentioned general interests.
With a view to implementing the measures provided in the foregoing clause, the Government may issue instructions to all the authorities of the Autonomous Communities.