CATALUNYA'S 'independence declaration' has been declared null and void by the Constitutional Court, but the regional government has pledged to forge ahead with it in spite of the verdict.
And Spain's central government has warned that 21 politicians in Catalunya may be found guilty of sedition, and has ordered the region's police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, to take action.
Mariano Rajoy's cabinet intends to notify them all personally of the legal consequences of their disobedience if they do not stop their plans to turn the region into a separate country within 18 months.
The Court found that the resolution, voted in favour of by a majority in Catalunya's Parliament this week, was 'clearly' in breach of Article 161.2 of the Constitution and could be interpreted to be in breach of another seven Articles, which means it may not become effective for at least five months until the issue is studied in full by judges.
Acting president of the region Artur Mas (Junts pel Sí) and Parliamentary chairwoman Carmen Forcadell, deputy president Neus Munté, and Parliamentary secretary-general Pere Sol are among those who could face sedition charges.
Sra Munté says the central government is 'using the Constitutional Court' in order to 'gag the free will' of the people of Catalunya, recalling that the resolution was approved 'by an absolute majority' – a combination of all members of pro-secession parties Junts pel Sí and CUP – meaning its application is 'clearly legitimate'.
“Going ahead is not disobeying the Constitutional Court – it is obeying a democratic mandate issued by the regional Parliament,” she stresses.
“Democracy is not in jeopardy in Catalunya; rather, the reverse – it is in very good health and is being protected in every way.”
Leader of Left Republicans of Catalunya (ERC) Gabriel Rufián added: “The big news is that there is no news. These 'constitutionalists' and 'legalists' who meet for a few hours are very strange, insofar as they want to go against what the people are voting for, calling the will of the people 'defiance', 'coup', and 'threat'.
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