Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

CATALONIA

Catalonia declares independence from Spain

People wave separatist Catalan flags and placards during a demonstration organised by Catalan pro-independence movements ANC (Catalan National Assembly) and Omnium Cutural, following the imprisonment of their two leaders Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart, in Barcelona, Spain, October 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado - RC18CE4F1F60

CATALONIA’S parliament has declared independence from Spain in defiance of the Madrid government, which at the same time was preparing to impose direct rule over the region.

In Barcelona, crowds of independence supporters were swelling on downtown streets, shouting “Liberty” in the Catalan language and singing traditional Catalan songs.

The declaration was 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.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy immediately called for calm and said the rule of law would be restored.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The motion passed in the regional parliament in Barcelona — which was boycotted by opposition parties — said Catalonia constituted an independent, sovereign and social democratic state. It called on other countries and institutions to recognize it.

It also said it wanted to open talks with Madrid to collaborate on setting up the new republic.

“It is not going to be easy, it is not going to be free, it is not going to change in a day. But there is no alternative to a process towards the Catalan Republic,” lawmaker Marta Rovira of the Junts pel Si pro-independence alliance said in a debate leading to the vote.

After the debate, lawmakers from members of three main national parties — the People’s Party, the Socialists and Ciudadanos, walked out.

Members of the pro-independence parties and the far-left Podemos then voted in 70-10 in favour in a secret ballot aimed at hindering any attempt by the central government to lay criminal charges on them.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Spanish shares and bonds were sold off when the result of the vote was announced.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont left the chamber to shouts of “President!”.

Meanwhile in Madrid the upper house of Spain’s parliament, the Senate, was due to approve Article 155, the law that allowing the central government to take over the autonomous region.

“Exceptional measures should only be adopted when no other remedy is possible,” Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in an address to the Senate. “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 Catalan leadership was ignoring the law and making a mockery of democracy, he said.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“We are facing a challenge unprecedented in our recent history,” said Rajoy, who has staked out an uncompromising position against Catalonia’s campaign to break away from Spain.

After the Senate vote, Rajoy was expected to convene his cabinet to adopt the first measures to govern Catalonia directly. This could include sacking the Barcelona government and assuming direct supervision of Catalan police forces.

But how direct rule would work on the ground – including the reaction of civil servants and the police – is uncertain.

Some independence supporters have promised to mount a campaign of civil disobedience, which could lead to direct confrontation with security forces.

The crisis developed after an independence referendum on Oct. 1 was declared illegal by Madrid. Although it endorsed independence, it drew only a 43 percent turnout as Catalans who oppose independence largely boycotted it.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

 

 

 

 

MUST SEE!..

Latest

ENGLAND have suffered an agonising defeat in the Women’s World Cup final. The Lionesses were beaten 1-0 by Spain in Sydney as they missed...

Entertainment

LOVE Island is back on ITV2 for a brand spanking new summer series on Monday, June 5th, Politicalite can reveal. Maya Jama will be...

Brexit

RISHI Sunak has signed a breakthrough deal with the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland and will now seek to win...

Brexit

BREXIT Britain and the EU have reached an agreement on customs that could signal a step towards a breakthrough in the dispute over the...

Brexit

RISHI Sunak has insisted the UK will not realign with EU laws under his watch as the Government seeks to sink speculation it is...

TORY LEADERSHIP

KEMI Badenoch has promised to do “whatever it takes to deal with the small boats issue” as she pitched controlling immigration at the centre...