Catalonia declares its independence from Spain

USPA NEWS - The Parliament of Catalonia declared this Friday its independence from Spain, in supporting a resolution of the pro-independence parties in favor of the creation of an "independent State in the form of a republic." The declaration had the support of the pro-independence groups, 70 votes, while the constitutionalist parties (the conservative Popular Party, the Socialist Party and the centrist Citizens) were absent from the vote.

"We assume the mandate of the people of Catalonia expressed in the referendum on self-determination of October 1," said the text of the resolution, which calls for a constitutional process to draft the Constitution of the new State. The Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, said Friday in Parliament that the time has come for institutions and citizens to keep "the pulse of the country" in the field of "peace, civility and dignity." In his first public intervention after the declaration of independence, Puigdemont insisted on the legitimacy of the sovereignty process, and stressed that, "as has always happened and will continue to happen," it is institutions and citizens that, "together, inseparably, build people and society."

The Spanish Government announced that it will appeal to the Constitutional Court the declaration of Catalan independence. Precisely on Friday, the Spanish Senate approved by a majority of 241 votes the application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which allows the Government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to take control of Catalonia. Rajoy said that "the rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia." The Spanish Government held an extraordinary Council of Ministers on Friday afternoon to agree on the measures to be applied in the rebel region. The Official State Gazette (BOE in its acronym in Spanish) published the agreement of the Senate on the application of 155 and the Spanish Government ceased the government of Catalonia, as announced by Prime Minister Rajoy after the meeting of his Cabinet. This Saturday, the ministers of the Spanish Government will assume control of the different departments of the Catalan administration. Rajoy dissolved the regional Parliament and announced the call for autonomous elections in Catalonia for next December 21.

In addition, the State General Attorney will present on Monday a complaint against those responsible for the declaration of independence, which carries penalties of up to 30 years in prison for rebellion. The complaint is directed against all members of the Catalan government and members of the Bureau of the regional Parliament. The prosecutor asked for the immediate arrest of the defendants, which could take place in the next few hours. Meanwhile, in the streets of the main Catalan cities, thousands of people were in favor of independence. The atmosphere was festive and many people expressed their enthusiasm for the new political scene. All the opposite that in the Exchange. The Ibex 35 of the Spanish stock market fell 1.45% and closed in 10.200 points after the declaration of independence.