Spain may also impugn the legality of the new Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs

One day after the new Catalan executive was constituted, the Spanish government has announced that the State Attorney will analyse the competences of the new Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as it may violate some of the Spanish government’s functions. “We will not allow any action which could be contrary to the Constitution or to the laws, whatever it may be” warned current Spanish Government Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría. This warning comes after the Spanish Government confirmed that a report will be written analysing the taking office ceremony of new Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, during which Puigdemont didn’t mention Spain’s King nor the Spanish Constitution.

Current Spanish Government Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría (by ACN)
Current Spanish Government Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría (by ACN) / ACN

ACN

January 15, 2016 04:06 PM

Barcelona (CNA).- The new Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs will be analysed by Spain’s State Attorney, the Spanish Government has confirmed. “We will not allow any action which could be contrary to the Constitution or to the laws, whatever it may be” warned current Spanish Government Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría. According to the Spanish Government, the Ministry led by cross-party list ‘Junts Pel Sí’ top member and former MEP Raül Romeva fails to comply with the suspension of the pro-independence proposal approved by the Catalan Parliament and may also violate some competences which are the exclusive domain of the Spanish executive. This warning comes after the Spanish Government announced that a report will be written analysing the taking office ceremony of new Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, during which Puigdemont didn’t mention Spain’s King nor the Spanish Constitution.


“We will analyse each and every one of the Catalan Government’s and the Parliament’s actions as there is a pro-independence declaration which has been suspended by the Spanish Constitutional Court which can’t produce any effect, and this has been communicated to those with political responsibilities” stated Sáenz de Santamaría. “We will not allow any action which could be contrary to the Constitution or to the laws, whatever it may be” she warned and reminded those involved that Puigdemont’s taking office is also being analysed. “We are analysing the taking office and the competences which can be transferred to certain ministries”.

No contacts between Puigdemont and Rajoy so far

Regarding the relationship between the new Catalan President and the Spanish executive, Sáenz de Santamaría confirmed that “so far” there has not been “any contact” between Puigdemont and the current Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy. “We have asked him to obey the law” she concluded.