Erin Seils| Reporter
The Catalan parliament has declared independence from Spain.
This motion was approved by Catalan MPs with 70 in favour, 10 against, and two abstentions in the 135-seat chamber.
Some have shown their support for the movement – Finnish MP Mikko Kärnä, tweeted shortly after the declaration was made:
Congratulations to the independent Republic of #Catalonia. Next week I will submit a motion to the Finnish Parliament for your recognition.
— Mikko Kärnä 🇫🇮🇺🇦 (@KarnaMikko) October 27, 2017
On the other hand, it seems as though Catalonia may have to be careful about speaking too soon. Immediately after the Catalan Parliament announced their independence from Spain, Mariano Rajoy Brey, Spain’s Prime Minister tweeted urging Spanish people to stay calm and that the rule of law will be restored in Catalonia.
Pido tranquilidad a todos los españoles. El Estado de Derecho restaurará la legalidad en Cataluña. MR
— Mariano Rajoy Brey (@marianorajoy) October 27, 2017
A Spanish official has spoken saying that charges of rebelion could be brought to Catalan parliament as early as Monday. The anonymous spokesperson has said that Spain’s top prosecutor is in the process of determining whether these charges should be limited to only the Catalan cabinet including President Carles Puigdemont and Vice President Oriol Junqueras or if the charges should be extended to include the parliament’s governing board and lawmakers.
Spain’s senate has also voted for Article 155 of the constitution to be triggered allowing Madrid to impose direct rule on Catalonia. There were 214 votes in favour and 47 against.
President Puigdemont, facing a crowd of hundreds in support of independence in Catalonia’s parliament building said:
“In the days ahead we must keep to our values of pacificism and dignity. It’s in our, in your hands to build the republic.”
Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop spoke after the events in Catalonia today saying:
“We understand and respect the position of the Catalan Government. While Spain has the right to oppose independence, the people of Catalonia must have the ability to determine their own future…
The European Union has a political and moral responsibility to support dialogue to identify how the situation can be resolved peacefully and democratically”
Click here for full statement.
However, Theresa May’s official spokesman gave a statement saying:
“The UK does not and will not recognise the unilateral declaration of independence made by the Catalan regional parliament.
It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved.”
Update:
Spain’s Prime Minister has now fired the Catalan government.
"We have decided to sack the Catalan government… central government will assume the powers of the Catalonian administration" says Rajoy pic.twitter.com/jmGc1Hamgj
— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 27, 2017
