Madrid Threatens to Suspend Catalonia's Regional Government Activities

Rafael Catalá, Spain's Minister of Justice, announced on Monday, October 2, that if the Catalan Parliament declares independence, the central government could suspend the activities of the Catalan regional government using the constitution. According to Reuters, under Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, the central government can suspend Catalonia's autonomy. The Spanish central government claims that the referendum is unconstitutional; this law was enacted following the death of General Franco, the last dictator of Spain, in 1978. Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain, emphasized on Sunday evening, October 1, that the referendum is illegal and added that, from his perspective, there has been no vote for independence in this region. Catalan leaders have stated that in the independence referendum, which the central government declared illegal, over 40% of eligible voters participated, and 90% of them voted for separation from Spain. In this context, Carlos Puigdemont, the President of the Catalan local government, said in a televised speech on Sunday night: 'On this day of hope and sorrow, the citizens of Catalonia have earned the right to independence to form a republic.' He added: 'In the coming days, my government will send the results of the vote to Parliament... to act according to the law of the referendum.' The referendum in Catalonia was held despite the central government declaring it illegal, and police forces shut down dozens of polling stations to prevent it from taking place. In this regard, the central government had dispatched thousands of police officers to Catalonia. Meanwhile, the events of Sunday were not limited to blocking polling stations, and hundreds were injured in clashes between security forces and protesters. According to the Catalan Health Department, 893 people received medical assistance during these clashes, and four were seriously injured but are in stable condition. The Spanish police also reported that 33 of its officers were injured during the clashes on Sunday. Following these clashes, the Catalan local government warned that it would take the events to 'international courts.' Additionally, labor unions in Catalonia have called for a general strike in the region on Tuesday, October 3. In this context, according to Reuters, Philip Hammond, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, stated that the clashes on Sunday in Catalonia pertain to the Spanish government but urged both sides to show restraint.