Spanish court rejects Catalan independence resolution

Spain’s parliament in October gave the Constitutional Court powers to fine or suspend authorities that do not carry out its rulings, shoring up its legal powers to deal with any Catalan independence bid.

The court had previously suspended the resolution for at least five months, as Rajoy pushed for judges to block the process completely.

The Spanish Constitutional Court has revoked Catalonia’s motion in Parliament to begin a secession process from the rest of Spain.

Spain has declared that any attempt at separation would be unconstitutional.

“In its ruling, Spain’s Constitutional Court affirmed the country’s unity – and said, therefore, Catalonia can’t declare independence, secede, and divide the country”.

However, Catalan leaders have vowed to ignore the court’s rulings.

The decision was hailed by Spain’s conservative prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, who said: “This makes the majority of Spaniards who believe in Spain, in national sovereignty and in the equality of all very happy”.

Catalonia is a highly industrialised and populous region in Spain’s north-east that accounts for about a fifth of the country’s economic output.

Mr Mas heads the Together for Yes alliance that won 62 seats in the 135-member regional parliament in September elections but, lacking a majority, he is seeking support from the left-wing CUP, which has 10 seats.

While the pro-independence camp are divided on the formation of a new government, last month CUP and Mas’ alliance joined forced to approved a resolution which calls on the regional assembly to start working on legislation within 30 days to create a separate social security system and treasury, with a view to completing independence in 18 months.

On Wednesday, the acting Catalan government said the court’s decision would have little effect on curbing the political will of the regional parliament.

Pro-independence parties fear that the secession drive would lose momentum if fresh regional elections were held.

“Catalans are split about 50-50 over whether to break away from Spain”, Lauren says.