Catalan Parliament declares independence from Spain, Senate approves direct Madrid rule

“I ask for calm from all Spaniards. The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia,” Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy wrote.  (File Photo)

Catalan’s regional parliament on Friday passed a motion declaring independence from Spain, even as opposition lawmakers left the chamber in protest before the vote. Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy appealed for peace in a tweet posted moments after the Catalan regional parliament proclaimed independence from the Spanish government, which is likely be declared illegal. “I ask for calm from all Spaniards. The rule of law will restore legality in Catalonia,” Rajoy tweeted.

Spain has opposed their independence bid and the national government in Madrid is preparing to take control of the northeastern region.

The motion passed by the regional parliament essentially calls for starting an independence process that includes drafting Catalonia’s new top laws and opening negotiations “on equal footing” with Spanish authorities to establish cooperation.

As per Reuters, independence motion was passed in the 135-strong assembly with 70 votes in favour, 10 against and 2 blank ballots, the assembly’s speaker said. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont left the chamber to shouts of “President!”.

In a statement to Reuters, lawmaker Marta Rovira, who belongs to the Junts pel Si pro-independence alliance, said: “It is not going to be easy, it is not going to be free, it is not going to change in a day. But there is no alternative to a process towards the Catalan Republic.”

In the meantime in Madrid, the Senate authorised the government to rule Catalonia directly from Madrid. In an address to the Senate, Rajoy said: “Exceptional measures should only be adopted when no other remedy is possible. In my opinion, there is no alternative. The only thing that can be done and should be done is to accept and comply with the law,” adding that the Catalan leadership was making a mockery of democracy.

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