Related News
Spain tries to block vote on separation
Print Edition
SPAIN’S government moved to block a planned independence referendum in its Catalonia region by asking the constitutional court yesterday to declare the vote illegal.
The leader of the wealthy northeastern region signed a decree on Saturday calling the vote on November 9 and putting his local government on a collision course with Madrid.
“Neither the object nor the proceedings of the vote are compatible with the Spanish constitution,” Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said as he announced the legal challenge on television.
While it could take years for the constitutional court to rule on the issue, the vote will be effectively suspended as soon as the court decides to accept the case.
The court said it would hold an emergency meeting late yesterday, with proceedings expected to start immediately.
Catalonia, which accounts for around a fifth of Spain’s economy, has its own language and distinct culture and has long fought for greater autonomy.
Rajoy said he regretted the decision by Catalonia’s regional president, Artur Mas, to call the vote.
I regret it because it’s against the law, it’s beyond democratic law, divides Catalans, distances them from Europe and the rest of Spain and seriously damages their welfare,” Rajoy said.
Political analysts expect the Catalan leader to call early local elections after the vote is blocked, hoping for a victory to boost momentum.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
