Spanish PM, in Catalonia, Calls for Big Turnout at December Election

Spanish PM, in Catalonia, Calls for Big Turnout at December Election
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Catalan People's Party (PP) president Xavier Garcia Albiol salute the crowd during a Catalan regional People's Party meeting in Barcelona, Spain, on Nov. 12, 2017. REUTERS/Albert Gea
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BARCELONA—Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy urged Catalans to turn out in force in a December election to “restore normality” to a region buffeted by attempts to split from Spain.

In his first visit to Barcelona since Madrid imposed direct rule on Catalonia and sacked its separatist leaders, Rajoy said the Dec. 21 election would safeguard the economy and stop companies moving out of the economically important region.