Following a vote in secret, the Catalonia parliament this afternoon (Friday) declared independence in the form of a republic. The vote, with seventy in favour, ten against and two abstentions, did not include the participation of the PSC (PSOE in Catalonia), the Partido Popular or Ciudadanos.
The parliament called on the Catalonia government to provide the necessary resources to issue citizens with documents proving Catalan nationality, to establish regulation for proceeding to a treaty on dual nationality with Spain and to create a central bank for the stability of the financial system.
Parliament also expressed its will to open negotiations with the Spanish state without preconditions to establish a regime of cooperation for the benefit of both parties.
Although the declaration is in effect a symbolic gesture as it will not be accepted by Spain or the international community, the moves by both sides take Spain's worst political crisis in four decades to a new level. Prime Minister Rajoy immediately called for calm and said the rule of law would be restored.
In the Senate where the debate was going on to trigger Article 155 and direct rule of Catalonia, Rajoy said: "Exceptional measures should only be adopted when no other remedy is possible. In my opinion there is no alternative. The only thing that can be done and should be done is to accept and comply with the law."
The Catalonia leadership was ignoring the law and making a mockery of democracy, he said. "We are facing a challenge unprecedented in our recent history."
The Senate, as had been expected, granted Rajoy the power to impose direct rule. Following this approval, the Spanish government cabinet met. The outcome was the dismissal of Carles Puigdemont, the dissolution of the Catalonia parliament, the removal of the head of the Mossos police, and the announcement of an election on 21 December.
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Spanish/Catalan crisis. Nothing to do with the EU says Jean Claude Junkers and Donald Tusk. It's a local issue, too small for us to be involved, so we'll stay in our expensive Brussels bunker until the dust settles. Time for Spain to leave the EU, we don't need them. Will.
I agree with everything you say Richard.... But would a properly managed referendum be on the table under these, entirely possible, circumstances?Professional politicians are paid to resolve these differences by talking and by compromising but this isn't happening here. It smacks of 'machisimo' on the part of both of the main protagonists.Shame on the Rajoy, Puigdemont, the EU and the UN, They are all failing in their responsibilities.
Majority of voters or a majority of a coalition of small parties, like here in the Balearics ?.If they called for independence it would still be illegal as it would be breaking the law of the land, i.e. the Constitution.A properly managed referendum would then be the only answer.
What happens if the Dec elections also return a Catalan government with a majority in favour of independence? What if a majority of voters in those elections vote for parties backing Catalan independence?
Those who denounce the legal Brexit vote are usually the ones who support the illegal Catalonia vote. They just don't like democracy.
Today's big winner is none other than our favourite vice president Biel. Seems to have been let off the hook yet again due to everybody watching events on the mainland. While he supports Catalonia's break away with all his heart he will be delighted to receive all the cruise ships and weekenders that decide to come here rather than Barcelona. Lots of tourist tax, Palma groaning with too many tourists again, and complaints from the residents. Bars, restaurants and shops closed for the winter - and he'll be off on the travel fair jollies to encourage even more tourists.!
I am concerned that this split between Spain and Catalonia, could lead to Civil War. I hope this does not occur, as Spain is beginning to recover economically. A War would destroy all of the Economic achievements, and alienate both factions from the E U.
Dw, I agree, and for that reason, Spain should declare its independence from Cataluña as soon as possible.
Catalunia is 74billion in debt to Madrid.= Big Bill to pay. If independent, no euro, no eu membership, borders required, no Barcelona in league, companies will leave en masse to other Spanish areas so as to remain in Euro and EU and not have to change tax structures. The 4.5 mill people face high high income and state taxes to pay for their liberty = the same as Scotland faced in their 'leave' referendum in UK. And to say that 80% of the voters(2mill) voted to leave means a leave vote in an illegal referendum is totally wrong - as the 2.5 mill other voters did NOT turn out/bother to vote as the vote was declared illegal in advance - so why go out!! Catalunia will have to negotiate trade deals from outside EU from day one. Yes Catalunia has high GDP per Capita, but based on what Madrid permits - big difference to realities of running a region on the taxes of only 4.5 million people... A big mess, should have requested a legal non binding referendum (as recently in North Italy), the result of which would be the basis for future talks and negotiation - both sides would have come out and voted in full and reached a proper result for discussion.
This is the end of the eu great ,