King slams Catalan vote
Spain is braced for further political upheaval as a crisis over Catalan demands for independence deepened after King Felipe VI urged authorities to defend “constitutional order”. King Felipe spoke after hundreds of thousands of Catalans rallied in fury at violence against voters during a banned weekend referendum.
SPAIN is braced for further political upheaval as a crisis over Catalan demands for independence deepened after King Felipe VI urged authorities to defend “constitutional order”.
King Felipe spoke after hundreds of thousands of Catalans rallied in fury at violence by police against voters during a banned weekend referendum on independence.
The central government and national courts branded the referendum illegal but Catalan leaders claimed the results showed the region had the right to secede.
King Felipe, 49, abandoned his previously measured tone over tensions with Catalonia, accusing its leaders of acting outside the law.
“With their irresponsible conduct they could put at risk the economic and social stability of Catalonia and all of Spain,” he said.
“It is the responsibility of the legitimate state powers to ensure constitutional order.”
In Sunday’s disturbances, Catalan regional leader Carles Puigdemont said nearly 900 people had received medical attention, though local authorities confirmed a total of 92 injured. Four were hospitalised.