Spanish court quashes Catalonian independence motion

By Alyssa McMurtry

MADRID

Spain’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday annulled the motion passed by the Catalan parliament that would have led to independence for the region.

The court had already suspended the motion passed on Nov. 9 and warned Catalan leaders they would face legal action if they moved forward with the plan for “disconnection” with Spain.

In one of the fastest rulings in the court’s history, 11 judges unanimously agreed the Catalan resolution was unconstitutional and cancelled it.

The Catalan parliament’s declaration, which was passed by a vote of 72 to 63, declared the “beginning of the process of the creation of an independent Catalan state in the form of a republic.”

It added that the wealthy region would not necessarily obey Spanish institutions - including the Constitutional Court - which the declaration described as “delegitimized”.

Catalan leaders have not made any public moves in bringing the 30-day independence plan to fruition. Since September's regional election, the parliament has not been able to form a government and the issue of who will be president is still undecided.

Without a government, regional lawmakers have said they will not move towards a break with Spain.

The separatist parties have a majority of seats but the Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) is refusing to support the current Catalan president, Artur Mas, who heads the Together for Yes separatist coalition.

The CUP has snubbed Mas over his austerity policies and alleged corruption in his party. On Tuesday, the CUP announced a Dec. 27 assembly on Mas’ reelection.

If no decision is reached by Jan. 9, the region will be forced to hold a new election, which would be the fourth since 2010.

A fresh poll would threaten the separatists’ “democratic mandate” to establish an independent republic.