Spain’s central government is set to put in place measures to take direct control of Catalonia in response to the region's declaration of independence last week, with Spanish officials expected to be put in place in the region's ministries on Monday.
On Friday, Madrid stripped Catalonia of its autonomy and removed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont from office.
The temporary move will see as many as 150 of the region's ministers replaced. Some have vowed to continue to work.
Mr Puigdemont and other Catalan officials may face criminal charges, a move likely to lead to huge protests.
Madrid has called for the Spanish constitutional court to revoke Catalonia's unilateral vote for independence.
Mr Puigdemont and his vice-president Oriol Junqueras say they do not accept the moves by Madrid, adding that they can only be removed from office by the citizens of Catalonia.
If Mr Puigdemont and others refuse to step aside, they face possible arrest and prosecution on charges of rebellion - the maximum sentence for which is 30 years.
