EU Commission Declares the Catalan Referendum Illegal
Let's move on to Europe. Today, a European Commission official said that a referendum on independence held in Catalonia had been illegal. According to him, yesterday's vote contradicts the Constitution. At the same time, the head of the region insists that the vote, I quote, “is legally binding”. Our correspondent, Stas Natanzon, heard the politicians' address in Barcelona. He has the details.
The Spanish authorities seem to have adopted a cautious stance, making only moderate comments on yesterday's referendum, which is being called “illegitimate” by the Spanish authorities and “a triumph of democracy” by the Catalan authorities. Carles Puigdemont, head of the Catalan government, has addressed journalists. But his speech focused mostly on yesterday's clashes between the police and voters.
Carles Puigdemont: “The government of Catalonia demands the immediate withdrawal of all law enforcement officers from its territory, who have so crudely infringed on the rights of millions of people. Nobody committed any crimes, but still, citizens were exposed to the use of force. Many sustained grave bodily injury. It's unacceptable”.
Of course, Catalans expected these words from Puigdemont, but they mostly wanted to hear what the Catalan government intended to do further, as, according to exit polls, almost 90% of voters cast their ballots in favor of Catalonia's secession from Spain and the creation of a republic. But the consequences are still unknown.
Carles Puigdemont: “For now, it's recommended to respect moderation and mediation. That is, we are to restore the proper work of political institutions, which was broken by the disproportionate measures taken by the Spanish government. We must put an end to the police brutality and on the infringement on freedom. A climate of easing of tensions should be established to encourage mediation. This has always been our stance”.
It's not yet clear as to what mediation he has in mind. Many European statesmen, heads of state, and governments have already said that they consider the referendum unconstitutional. Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary, said this, too, along with a European Commission representative.
Margaritis Schinas: “Under the Spanish constitution, yesterday's vote in Catalonia was not legal. The European Commission has repeatedly stressed that the situation in Catalonia is an internal issue of Spain, which is to be solved in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. We are also confirming the official stance of the European Commission. If the referendum had been held in compliance with the Spanish Constitution, the seceding territory would have to leave the EU".
Today, at 4 p.m. local time, which is 5 p.m. Moscow time, an extraordinary meeting of the Catalan parliament is to be held. It's still unclear if it will reveal the next steps to be taken by the Catalan government, what the international mediation mentioned by Mr. Puigdemont is, how long this transitional period will last or if it will be launched at all.
Many European regions are following the situation in Catalonia. On this square in front of the Catalan Generalitat, or the Government of Catalonia, we saw the representatives of Veneto, an Italian province which wants to secede. On October 22nd, a referendum is scheduled to take place there. Representatives from Basques were also present. The Basques have long striven for independence from Spain and France. The Scots, who want to secede from Britain, were represented as well.
So, many European regions are following the precedent being created in Catalonia. Maybe, when such a precedent is created, the European map might get redrawn.
Stas Natanzon, Oleg Makarov and Alexander Kutateladze for Vesti from Barcelona, Spain.