MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Rajoy offers talks to Catalonia but no indication of an independence vote
Catalonians formed a 480 kilometres long human chain Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy offered to hold talks with Catalonia, but gave no indication he would allow the wealthy north-western region to vote on independence. The offer of talks was made in a letter sent to the head of Catalonia's regional government, Artur Mas, only three days after hundreds of thousands of Catalans formed a 400-km human chain to push their independence bid and demand a referendum.
Growing calls for secession from Spain in the region of 7.5 million people has added to pressure on Rajoy, who is already mired in a corruption scandal and seeking to drag his country out of recession.
“I am convinced of the exceptional relevance of Catalonia for Spain and of the richness, plurality and singularity of the Catalan society,” Rajoy said in the letter. “I also believe that our ties cannot be broken without huge ...economic, political and social costs.”
“And, of course, I also want to pass on the strong belief of my government that we need to work together to strengthen these ties and move away from confrontation,” he added.
Rajoy and Mas met in secret in August to end a year-long standoff over the referendum and greater tax powers for the region, but they have made little progress and largely disagree on the nature and the scope of the talks.
Rajoy did not specify which issues should be part of the proposed talks. He has said in the past that a vote on Catalan independence would be unconstitutional and has pledged to block it in the courts.
Although he made no direct reference to a possible referendum in the letter, his office said his position remained unchanged.
Mas said earlier this week he would be ready to negotiate a new tax regime more favourable to the region, but insisted it would not be enough and that a vote should also be held.
He has threatened to call an early election and use it as a plebiscite on secession if Rajoy uses the courts to block a referendum. Polls show backing for secession has risen steadily in Catalonia, with some recording support as high as 50%.
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Read all comments“I also believe that our ties cannot be broken without huge ...economic, political and social costs.”
Sep 15th, 2013 - 09:03 pm 0Catalonia is not looking to break ties, just reconfigure them. An independent Catalonia within the EU will have just as many ties with the Kingdom of Spain as is does now. They will just be between equals.
The Spanish government's actions have only strengthened the desire for independence. Spain really should have looked to Canada and the UK before inserting its foot so firmly in its mouth.
It's funny, I always though Belgium would split first, but if Madrid continues this way, it will probably be Spain.
Doesn't look like it will be the UK though, but at least Westminster had the balls to accept the right for the Scottish to speak their mind.
The Scots favourite occupation is whinging and complaining, I went on holiday with a group of friends and one was Scottish. The miserable bastard never shut up moaning the whole time and the flies ate his lily white skin alive hehe,
Sep 16th, 2013 - 03:18 am 0The difference is that the vast majority of the English public couldn't give two stuffs if Scotland became independent, hence the reason it has been put on a plate for them. I personally would urge them to to do it, although we all know they won't, because they would only be able to blame themselves for their problems in the future, not the English, and there is no fun in that.
The problem for Scotland is that the maths just don't add up and they know it.
If Spain doesn't soon embrace the principle of self-determination, they will have another civil war on their hands.
Freedom for Catalonia.
Sep 16th, 2013 - 03:40 am 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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