Spain’s Constitutional Court annuls Catalan independence motion

Spain’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday revoked a resolution by
Catalonia’s parliament that declared the start of a secession process in
the wealthy northeastern region.
The motion, passed last month, calls on Catalonia’s regional assembly to
start drafting laws within 30 days to create a separate social security
system and treasury, with a view to completing independence in 18
months.
It also declares that the parliament of Catalonia is “sovereign” and not
subject to decisions made by Spanish institutions.
Conservative Prime Minister Rajoy immediately filed suit at the
Constitutional Court, which temporarily suspended the resolution last
month while it considered legal arguments.
In a ruling shared by all 11 judges, the Court on Wednesday ruled the
motion “violates constitutional norms” which “affirm the unity of the
Spanish nation.”
Rajoy hailed the decision.
“For the majority of Spaniards, who believe in Spain, in national
sovereignty, this pleases us greatly,” he said.
The ruling comes just two days before the official start of campaigning
for general elections.
The December 20 vote will see a stiff challenge to Rajoy’s Popular
Party from two new parties on the left and right as well as from the main
opposition Socialists.
The Popular Party is presenting itself as the guarantor of national unity
and of Spain’s economic recovery, after the country in 2014 came out of
five years of recession or zero-growth.
The pro-independence camp won an absolute majority in Catalonia’s
135-seat regional assembly for the first time in local elections in
September but got only 48 percent of the popular vote.
Catalan leaders elected in September have vowed to ignore the rulings of
the Constitutional Court.
While they banded together to pass the secession resolution, pro-
independence parties still have not agreed on the formation of a new
Catalan government two months after the election.
Polls show that most Catalans support a referendum on independence,
but are divided over breaking away from Spain.
Opposition to Catalan independence stands at 48.2 percent while 46.6
percent are in favour, according to a Centre for Opinion Studies poll
published Wednesday.
That is virtually unchanged from October when the polling firm found
47.8 percent of Catalans opposed independence while 46.7 percent were
in favour.
Catalonia, a northeastern region of 7.5 million people which represents
nearly a fifth of Spain’s economic output, already enjoys a large degree
of autonomy in education, health and policing.
But it is insisting on even greater autonomy, particularly where taxation
is concerned, estimating that it gives more to the central government
than it receives.
A 2010 decision by Spain’s Constitutional Court to water down a 2006
statute giving the region more powers has added to pressure for
secession.

Posted: at 2-12-2015 06:15 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming

Wow, biafra people wen una read dis don't even think about it...

Posted: at 2-12-2015 06:51 PM (8 years ago) | Hero

Kk,I don hear.me I no be spanish.

Posted: at 3-12-2015 02:11 AM (8 years ago) | Hero