Catalonian parliament approves plan for independence from Spain

State Attorney Marta Silva de Lapuerta filed the challenge Wednesday before the Constitutional Court after the conservative central government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy decided earlier to turn to the courts to block secession of the north-eastern province.

After an emergency Cabinet meeting, Rajoy said on Wednesday he asked the Constitutional Court to “immediately suspend this resolution and all its effects” while it is being reviewed.

The motion, passed by the parliament in its first post-election session, declared “the start of a process towards the creation of an independent Catalan state in the form of a republic” and a “process of democratic disconnection not subject to the decisions by the institutions of the Spanish state”. The crime of rebellion carries a prison sentence of 25 to 30 years, and that of sedition 10 to 15 years. The calls for autonomy and independence have intensified amid Spain’s financial crisis.

If Catalan leaders continue to press ahead with the independence bid under those circumstances, it could further drive up tensions between Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital, and Madrid since Rajoy has vowed to take more steps if needed against local representatives.

Two big separatist parties make up the “Together for Yes” (“Junts pel Si”) coalition but they needed the help of the far-left CUP (Popular Unity) party to secure an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament.

Just as firmly, the Madrid central government, mainly backed by Spain’s Socialist Party and the Citizens Party, have insisted that the pro-secession moves are illegal and the full weight of the law brought to bear to put a halt to the process. “National sovereignty cannot be divided or fragmented”, Rajoy said.

The pro-secession forces face a problem of their own making, however: they are unable to agree on a candidate for president of the Catalan government.

Catalan nationalist parties ensured a majority of seats but fell short of winning half the vote.

This list includes Artur Mas, current leader of Catalonia, along with the speaker of the Catalan parliament, Carmen Forcadell as well as other prominent separatist politicians.