Spain extends direct rule on Catalonia after cabinet row

World
Europe

Spain moved to continue direct rule over Catalonia on Monday after the Madrid government objected to the choice of cabinet by newly-elected separatist leader Quim Torra.

Torra has vowed to recreate the administration fired by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for declaring independence – two members of that cabinet are in jail in Madrid and two others are in self-imposed exile in Brussels.

Rajoy has said only when cabinet nominees acceptable to Madrid are put forward will it return rule to the region.

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy speaks during a news conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

Madrid and Barcelona are engaged in a stand-off after regional elections called by the government in December returned a majority of seats for pro-independence parties.

Madrid has imposed direct rule until a new regional government is in place. It is uncertain now when direct rule will be lifted.

Rajoy said on Monday he hoped Catalonia would soon form a viable government that would obey the law.

"I hope there will soon be a government that is viable, that obeys the law and that enters into dialogue with us – one that will work to recover institutional and political normality in our country," he said in a speech at an event in Galicia.

The Spanish government on Monday recognized the powers of newly-elected leader Torra but refused to ratify his choice of councilors – four of whom are facing charges linked to last year's independence drive, official documents showed.

Newly appointed Catalan president Quim Torra (C) leaves after a visit to jailed Catalan separatist politicians at the Estremera jail near Madrid on May 21, 2018. /VCG Photo

Torra on Monday met nine Catalan leaders being held in jails in Madrid, including two he had named in his cabinet.

Under the terms of emergency legislation brought in to take over the Catalan administration, Madrid must lift direct rule once the Catalan government is fully formed and cabinet members named.

But the government said the naming of the four men, accused of crimes including rebellion and misuse of public funds, amounted to a deliberate provocation.

Spanish courts ruled that an October 1 independence referendum and subsequent declaration of independence were illegal because they went against Spain's constitution which states the nation is indivisible.

Rajoy telephoned two opposition leaders – Pedro Sanchez of the Socialists and Albert Rivera of Ciudadanos – on Saturday to discuss the situation and ask for their support.

Both parties, which together with Rajoy's center-right People's Party make up a majority of seats in Spain's parliament, agree that direct rule of Catalonia must be maintained until a regional administration is in place.

(With input from agencies)

8814km

–