Spain denies coup claims by Catalonia

Days after the speaker of the Catalan parliament, Carme Forcadell, called measures announced by the Spanish government to implement constitutional provision to end Catalonia secession bid as a “de facto coup d’état”, such claims have been denied.

Spanish Foreign Minister, Alfonso Dastis, has denied that his government’s move to reassert control over Catalonia amounts to a “coup” saying “If anyone has attempted a coup, it is the Catalan regional government”.

Carles Puigdemont, Catalan President, declared independence on October 10 days after staging a disputed independence referendum met with heavy police crackdown from the Spanish national police and civil guards.

Read also: Spain to implement constitutional provision to end Catalonia secession bid

Of the 43% of Catalans said to have taken part, 90% voted in favour of independence, it said.

Unionist parties who won about 40% of the vote at the 2015 Catalan elections boycotted the ballot and many anti-independence supporters stayed away, arguing it was not valid.

Puigdemont however, suspended the declaration to encourage talks with Madrid after an ultimatum followed but to date, no direct talks have taken place.

 

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