| Series Title | Catalan News |
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| Series Details | 21.09.17 |
| Publication Date | 21/09/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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Background The Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, began a process in December 2016 to hold a further referendum and the date for this was eventiually fixed for 1 October 2017. The Spanish government said that a Catalan independence referendum would be illegal because it was unconstitutional, and that it would file charges if any actions were undertaken to organise it. Throughout September 2017, the Catalan Government and pro-independence supporters pressed ahead with plans to hold the independence referendum on 1 October 2017, while the central government in Madrid worked to prevent the vote from taking place. The referendum was held by the Catalan government on the 1 October 2017. The holding of the referendum was opposed by the Spanish government and was declared illegal by the Spanish Constitutional Court. Further information: + The days leading up to the referendum To find all the information sources in ESO on the issue click here.In the context of the pro-independence government in Catalonia, and its supporters, planning a referendum to take place in the 'nation / region' on the 1 October 2017, and the opposition of the Spanish Popular Party (PP) government, with the support of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), there was much interest in how the European Commission and other EU Member States would react to the intensifying tensions during September 2017. However, any EU intervention on the issue would only cause 'a lot more chaos'. Formally, the European Commission reiterated its long-stated line that the issue was an internal affair within Spain, and that the Commission 'respects the law and constitutional order of Spain'. Catalonia's representative to the EU, Amadeu Altafaj said on the 21 September 2017 'I sadly miss more constructive, responsible engagement by the European institutions, in particular from the European Commission'. Following the holding of the referendum on the 1 October 2017 the European Commission issued a statement: 'Under the Spanish Constitution, yesterday's vote in Catalonia was not legal. For the European Commission, as President Juncker has reiterated repeatedly, this is an internal matter for Spain that has to be dealt with in line with the constitutional order of Spain. We also reiterate the legal position held by this Commission as well as by its predecessors. If a referendum were to be organised in line with the Spanish Constitution it would mean that the territory leaving would find itself outside of the European Union'. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans discussed the constitution, rule of law and fundamental rights in Spain, further to events in Catalonia, on the 4 October 2017. European Commission President Juncker said on the 13 October 2017 said in a speech at the University of Luxembourg: 'I wouldn’t like a European Union in 15 years that consists of some 98 states ... It’s already relatively difficult with 28 and with 27 not easier, but with 98 it would simply be impossible'. At a press conference ahead of the European Council, Brussels, 19-20 October 2017 European Council President Donald Tusk said that the situation in Spain and Catalonia was 'concerning' but ruled out EU mediation. 'There is no room, no space for any kind of mediation or international initiative or action', he said. In a speech in Russia on the 19 October 2017 Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the EU of hypocrisy and having 'double standards' by rejecting Catalan independence but supporting independence in 2008 for Kosovo. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.catalannews.com/politics/item/the-european-commission-stays-silent-on-catalonia-despite-questioning |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Spain |
