Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy slammed Catalan leader Artur Mas for having taken a “step to nowhere” by calling for early elections and proposing a 18-month plan to Catalonia independence. He accused Mas of promoting “misrule” in the region.
“Mas has taken a step to nowhere. He has become the president of a minor part of Catalonians and has abandoned the majority, who did not want to join the 9N,” Rajoy said in reference to the symbolic referendum on independence from Spain.
“He is going against the world, against integration processes, being the European Union the clearest example,” Rajoy said a day after the Catalan leader announced his “roadmap” for Catalonian independence.
Mas began a new chapter in the political dispute between Catalonia and Madrid by calling for early regional elections which, in case of victory, would allow independentist parties to move forward to secession within a year and a half.
Rajoy said Mas’ plan will «force Catalonians to choose between being Catalonian or Spanish, between being Catalonian or European, which makes no sense and threatens the citizens’ freedom and rights.»
The Spanish PM condemned Mas’ actions, in times when “the priority is to fight the (economic) crisis.” He vowed to “defend the national sovereignty, the Constitution and the equality of the Spanish.”
buenosairesherald.com