Defiance in Catalonia as Madrid thwarts independence bid

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Defiance in Catalonia as Madrid thwarts independence bid



"The decision has pleased all Spanish people who believe in Spain, in national sovereignty and in the equality of citizens"

MADRID: -- Spain’s Constitutional Court has revoked a motion from the Catalonian Parliament to begin the process to separate from Madrid.

The regional assembly passed a resolution last month setting out a plan for independence within 18 months.

However, the court says it violates five articles of Spain’s 1978 constitution as well articles of the region’s own statute.

The resolution was challenged by the Spanish government in Madrid.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told reporters Wednesday’s decision “has pleased all Spanish people who believe in Spain, in national sovereignty and in the equality of citizens”.

Reaction in Catalonia

Catalonia’s recently-elected leaders say the Constitutional Court’s ruling is political and have vowed to ignore it.

“They are hiding behind a Court which is under their control,” said Francisco Homs from the CDC.
Pro-independence parties hold a slim majority in the Catalan regional parliament.

However, the region of 7.5 million people is evenly divided over splitting with the rest of Spain.

Highly industrialised and populous, the north-eastern region of Catalonia accounts for around a fifth of Spain’s economic output.

What they are saying

For some, the decision carries the authority of Spanish sovereignty and the rule of law.

Catalonia’s regional government has responded angrily.

Pro-independence campaigners say the ruling will not affect support for independence for Catalonia.

Others think it will not make a difference to Catalonia’s pro-independence politicians who will press ahead with their plan for secession.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-12-03

[Tom Cahill]

This is all a bit of a scam. Will the new republic be part of the EU or not's the only question. They've already carved Europe up in to regional areas which don't respect current national sovereignty and in the EU's Constitution, it clearly states that any move which pulls away from the EU Communist Super State is illegal (which is why parties such as UKIP are such a total scam).

This is very like the situation in Northern Ireland, where the issue isn't freedom from the UK's tyrannical colonisation, but a choice between them being a middle man to the unelected polit bureau in Brussels or not.

I still think it would be good if they did manage to gain independence in terms of their prosperity but it would be bad for Spain; all the more so as they're suffering economically.