Spain to present measures to impose direct rule on Oct. 21 - PM Rajoy

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy addresses a news conference during an European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium, October 20, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Friday he would announce on Saturday measures to impose direct rule on the wealthy region of Catalonia over its bid to secede.

Speaking in Brussels, Rajoy added the measures, based on a never-before-used article of Spain's 1978 constitution, would have backing from the main opposition Socialist party, and centrist group Ciudadanos.