France warns Catalonia against unilateral independence declaration

 People hold a Spanish flag which reads, “The unity of Spain cannot be voted on or negotiated, it must be defended” during a pro-union demonstration organized by the Catalan Civil Society organization in Barcelona, Spain October 8, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)
People hold a Spanish flag which reads, “The unity of Spain cannot be voted on or negotiated, it must be defended” during a pro-union demonstration organized by the Catalan Civil Society organization in Barcelona, Spain October 8, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

France says it will not recognize Catalonia if it goes ahead to unilaterally declare independence from mainland Spain, warning that such a move, if recognized, would mean the region’s “automatic” exit from the European Union.

Nathalie Loiseau , France’s European affairs minister, said on Monday, that “Catalonia cannot be defined by the vote organized by the independence movement just over a week ago.”

“This crisis needs to be resolved through dialogue at all levels of Spanish politics.”

She also warned that “if independence were to be recognized - which is not something that’s being discussed - the most immediate consequence would be that (Catalonia) automatically left the European Union.”

The Spanish region, which has its own language and culture, held a referendum on October 1, despite efforts by Spain and the EU to block it.

The regional government said some 90 percent of those who voted backed secession, and that according to the region’s rules, a declaration of independence is the legal next step after the ‘Yes’ victory.

“The declaration of independence, that we don’t call a ‘unilateral’ declaration of independence, is foreseen in the referendum law as an application of the results,” said Catalonia’s President Carles Puigdemont.

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont (C) holds a meeting at the Catalan government headquarters in Barcelona on October 6, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

He could declare independence in a parliament session planned for Tuesday.

Merkel backs Spain’s unity

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy over the Catalonia crisis, reassuring him of Berlin’s support for Spain’s unity, her spokesman said.

She also called for more dialog among all sides with the framework of the Spanish constitution to help resolve the crisis, the spokesman added.

Additionally, the German leader also discussed the situation in Catalonia with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Saturday.

Rajoy: Spain will remain united

The Spanish premier, meanwhile, assured that his government will do everything in his power to maintain the country’s unity.

In an interview published in the German newspaper Die Welt on Monday, Rajoy said “Spain will not be divided and national unity will be preserved. We'll do everything that legislation allows to ensure that.”

His government launched a heavy-handed crackdown on Catalans during and ahead of the referendum, by sending thousands of national police to the region to prevent the vote. The crackdown left around 900 people injured.

The government has even threatened to use the military to take direct control of the Catalan region if it declares independence.

Hundreds in Brussels rally for Spain’s unity

In another development, hundreds of people gathered outside the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday to show their opposition to Catalonia’s separation bid.

Protesters, estimated by local police to be 350,000, held Spanish and Catalan flags as well as the European Union’s, chanting slogans like “Viva Spain, Viva Catalonia.”

They were also holding banners that read; “Catalonia is Spain” and “Together we are stronger.”

Secretary-General of the European People’s Party Antonio Lopez-Isturiz and Member of the European Parliament Eider Gardiazabal were also among the protesters.

Lopez-Isturiz said in the rally that it is the responsibility of Spanish people to maintain the unity of Spain.

“I think the tension need to be eased. Tension always provokes those who go against the law. We should stop any illegal action like this and demand Puigdemont not to declare independence,” he added.

Spain is facing its biggest political challenge since it became a democracy four decades ago.

Views: 239

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

Comment by Ragnarok on October 10, 2017 at 11:32am

Yes, you're right people who live in herds think like pack animals usually and dont develop as a whole human with exceptions of course. Compact city living is a powerful tool indeed.

Comment by DTOM on October 10, 2017 at 10:27am

Brittany is divided politically, even among those who want independence - there is a huge difference between those in the urban areas and the country.

The forced transformation of France is much more subtle in Brittany, as the PTB don't want to upset the population - so they take a more 'Fabian' approach.

It's more apparent now in the age of smartphones and wireless internet.

Plenty of 'you're a fascist if you don't agree with me' leftists and those brainwashed in cultural Marxism in Bretagne and France as whole.

France would never permit Breton independence as they have key naval and military bases on the Atlantic coast.

Corsicans don't give a shit about anyone but themselves, they've had no qualms about retaliating towards 'cultural enrichers' in their midst...and I'm sure if it came to it, they would seek independence.

Comment by Ragnarok on October 10, 2017 at 10:11am

France is scared of losing the rich regions Brittany and Corsica as well. 

Comment by DTOM on October 10, 2017 at 9:54am

If the Spanish go heavy handed on the Catalans if they secede, there will be civil war - if this happens expect things to kick off in the Basque region too.

The EU has been pushing to break up certain European countries into new regions, while at the same time displacing the population with cultural enrichers.

However, both Spain and the EU will oppose Catalonian independence - without Catalonia, Spain's economy is fucked, and the EU don't get their share of the takings, or the ability to control the Catalans.

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post What Four UFO Whistle Blowers All Suffered in Common?
"This falls in the category of political assassination, a very shameful policy of eliminating people…"
1 hour ago
Doc Vega posted blog posts
4 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post The Forest Devil
"cheeki kea Thank you, just one thing. The Choctaw Indian who came to the rescue was a war veteran…"
14 hours ago
cheeki kea commented on Doc Vega's blog post The Forest Devil
"Well that is one fine story you've got going there Doc V. with a very interesting roll up. I…"
20 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post “Night of Horror” Finland WWII 1939 and a Russian Massacre
"Just another bizarre chapter in WWII that seems more suspect as paranormal."
yesterday
Doc Vega's 7 blog posts were featured
yesterday
Burbia's blog post was featured

Former President Trump?

When was this article written? It is attributed to Victor Davis Hanson. He is a Fellow at Hoover…See More
yesterday
Less Prone commented on Burbia's blog post Former President Trump?
"It must be an unintended mistake "former". But that Trump demanded to keep Khan away is a…"
yesterday
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post The Mistake We Made in America
yesterday
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post “Night of Horror” Finland WWII 1939 and a Russian Massacre
yesterday
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post “Night of Horror” Finland WWII 1939 and a Russian Massacre
"Quite an uplifting story of the winter war. Finland was overpowered by ten to one and could still…"
yesterday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Elon Weighs in on Charlie Kirk's Assassination and How it is an Instrument of Social Control

For a very long time now there has been in place mass population behavioral control operations that…See More
Saturday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post The Forest Devil
"Less Prone Thanks Buddy I worked on it for 3 days! "
Friday
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post The Forest Devil
Friday
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post The Forest Devil
"You have spun a great story, congratulations!"
Friday
cheeki kea commented on Bob of the Family Renner's photo
Friday
Doc Vega posted a blog post
Thursday
tjdavis posted blog posts
Thursday
Doc Vega posted photos
Wednesday
tjdavis posted a blog post
Oct 7

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted