The Spanish government said Thursday it would go ahead with steps to suspend the autonomy of Catalonia.

This was minutes after the region’s separatist leader threatened to unilaterally declare independence from Spain if Madrid continued its “repression.” The Spanish government called an emergency cabinet meeting for Saturday after announcing it would press ahead with unprecedented steps to suspend the autonomy of Catalonia over the region’s independence drive.

In a statement Thursday, it said it had called the meeting to press ahead with article 155 of the Constitution, which allows Madrid to take direct control over a region in exceptional circumstances.

“The Spanish government will continue with the procedures outlined in article 155 of the Constitution to restore legality in Catalonia’s self-government,” it said in a statement, referring to an article that allows for Madrid to take direct control over a region in exceptional circumstances.

AFP