SPAIN: Catalan declaration ‘will have no effect’ – PM

Any declaration of independence by Catalonia will have no effect, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has warned, adding that he is not ruling out suspending the region’s autonomy. In an interview with El País newspaper, Mr Rajoy also rejected any mediation to resolve the crisis. On Saturday thousands of people rallied in Madrid for Spanish […]

Any declaration of independence by Catalonia will have no effect, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has warned, adding that he is not ruling out suspending the region’s autonomy. In an interview with El País newspaper, Mr Rajoy also rejected any mediation to resolve the crisis.

On Saturday thousands of people rallied in Madrid for Spanish unity. A similar demonstration is under way in Barcelona in response to last week’s disputed referendum.

The final results from the wealthy north-eastern region showed 90% of the 2.3 million people who voted backed independence. Turnout was 43%. There have been several claims of irregularities, and many ballot boxes were seized by Spanish police. In the El País interview, Mr Rajoy said: “The government will ensure that any declaration of independence will lead to nothing.”