Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has moved to block Catalonia’s efforts to split from Spain. He announced on Wednesday that his centre-right
This is an appeal against a resolution that aims to break up the unity of Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has moved to block Catalonia’s efforts to split from Spain.
He announced on Wednesday that his centre-right government had filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court to try to invalidate a pro-independence resolution adopted two days earlier by the Catalan regional assembly.
“What we are asking is for the resolution and its effects to be suspended,” Rajoy said.
“Obviously a parliament can approve, within its powers, laws and resolutions that it considers to be timely and appropriate. This is an appeal against a resolution that aims to break up the unity of Spain.”
Monday’s breakaway moves spearheaded by Artur Mas, acting head of Catalonia’s government, have
deepened a stand-off with Madrid ahead of next month’s general election.
Catalan parliament passes motion declaring start of independence process https://t.co/9vLW0MQpwxpic.twitter.com/EiH7FGgyZ8
— El País in English (@elpaisinenglish) November 9, 2015Dominated by pro-independence parties, the regional parliament has backed a process aimed at
forming a Catalan republic, in what is one of Spain’s wealthiest regions, within 18 months.
The declaration it has passed rejects Constitutional Court decisions as not legitimate.