Spain Constitutional Court annuls Catalan independence motion

Judges say motion violates constitutional norms, which ‘affirm the unity of the Spanish nation’

Spain’s Constitutional Court yesterday 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 yesterday 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 zerogrowth.

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 per cent of the popular vote.