19 November 2015

Spain expects Catalonia to back off on independence proposal


VALLETTA – Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy assured on Thursday that he will not “look the other way” if the decision of the Spanish constitutional court to suspend the independence proposal of Catalonia is ignored, and considers that there is no reason to take exceptional measures now.

Rajoy delivered his statements in a news conference at the end of the summit on migration held in the Maltese capital Valletta, which was attended by leaders and the heads of states of European Union member states, as well as the heads of 30 African countries.

The prime minister stressed the support he enjoys from the majority of Spain’s political parties if any action needs to be taken in the future to respond to any potential disobedience against the constitutional court’s decision.

However, he emphasized that no measures would be taken if the law of the country was respected.

Rajoy delivered these statements following the decision of the Spanish constitutional court to suspend, temporarily and immediately, the independence proposal of Catalonia, which was approved on Monday by the parliament of the autonomous region, so the proposal is considered null and void.

All members of the constitutional court accepted the appeal submitted a few hours ago by the central Spanish government to halt the process of the Catalan independence.

Judges are expected to take up to a maximum period of five months to discuss the matter and make a decision regarding the constitutionality of the Catalan proposal.

With 72 voting in favor out of 135 MPs attending Monday’s session, the legislative house of Catalonia approved a text, according to which measures of passing “laws of the constitutional process, social security and public finances” will begin within a period of 30 days, which brings forward the basis of the creation of the new Republic of Catalonia.