Spain certainly appears to know how to foster national unity. The country’s public prosecutors are expected to charge the president of Catalonia for holding a vote on independence in defiance of a court injunction.
The region’s leader, Artur Mas, is likely to be charged with disobeying a court order and misusing government funds.
Mas had planned to hold a referendum on the question of independence from Spain, but Madrid blocked it by asking the constitutional court for its opinion. Until a ruling is made, the referendum should have been suspended.
Catalonia went ahead with the vote but announced it was a “consultation” and had no legal ramifications.
More than 2.3 million people voted last weekend, out of the region’s 5.4 million eligible voters. Of those who did go to the polls, 80% opted to leave Spanish embrace.
Court sources indicate that Mas is likely to face charges.
Mas told the regional parliament that he wasn’t concerned about the charges. “Can you imagine the image they would broadcast to the world if they acted against a government for putting out ballot boxes? It would be a dramatic image for Spain.”
Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy appears adamant that no formal referendum on secession will take place, insisting that the country’s constitution does not allow regions to take unilateral decisions on sovereignty.
Rajoy invited Mas to explore changing the constitution, a lengthy process that observers believe would fail. “This is what he should have done from the beginning. It’s the only legal and responsible way to move forward with his plans.”
