Constitutional Court blocks independence resolution, but Catalunya determined to go ahead anyway

CATALUNYA'S 'independence declaration' has been declared null and void by the Constitutional Court, but the regional government has pledged to forge ahead with it in spite of the verdict.

And Spain's central government has warned that 21 politicians in Catalunya may be found guilty of sedition, and has ordered the region's police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, to take action.

Mariano Rajoy's cabinet intends to notify them all personally of the legal consequences of their disobedience if they do not stop their plans to turn the region into a separate country within 18 months.

The Court found that the resolution, voted in favour of by a majority in Catalunya's Parliament this week, was 'clearly' in breach of Article 161.2 of the Constitution and could be interpreted to be in breach of another seven Articles, which means it may not become effective for at least five months until the issue is studied in full by judges.

Acting president of the region Artur Mas (Junts pel Sí) and Parliamentary chairwoman Carmen Forcadell, deputy president Neus Munté, and Parliamentary secretary-general Pere Sol are among those who could face sedition charges.

Sra Munté says the central government is 'using the Constitutional Court' in order to 'gag the free will' of the people of Catalunya, recalling that the resolution was approved 'by an absolute majority' – a combination of all members of pro-secession parties Junts pel Sí and CUP – meaning its application is 'clearly legitimate'.

“Going ahead is not disobeying the Constitutional Court – it is obeying a democratic mandate issued by the regional Parliament,” she stresses.

“Democracy is not in jeopardy in Catalunya; rather, the reverse – it is in very good health and is being protected in every way.”

Leader of Left Republicans of Catalunya (ERC) Gabriel Rufián added: “The big news is that there is no news. These 'constitutionalists' and 'legalists' who meet for a few hours are very strange, insofar as they want to go against what the people are voting for, calling the will of the people 'defiance', 'coup', and 'threat'.

“What would be odd is for the Constitutional Court, which is presided by a former PP member, to be in agreement with the unquestionable desires of the majority of Catalunya's residents.”

According to polls, most of Catalunya's residents want to see a referendum on independence go ahead, but only around half are in fact in favour of becoming a separate nation.

And threats by Spain's right-wing government to stop all State funding to Catalunya and to forcibly take control of the Mossos' powers are not only not taken seriously by the region's pro-independence politicians, but are in fact spurring them on even further.

Critics of the PP-led State government said if it had not acted in such an autocratic fashion, closing ranks and refusing to even discuss the matter, it is likely the independence bid would have far fewer supporters.

Instead, the national government's attitude is adding fuel to the secession fire and drumming up support it would not otherwise have enjoyed.