Spanish PM hopes to quash “separatist havoc” with regional elections

The staging of regional elections next month in Catalonia will help quash “separatist havoc” so says Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy while he was addressing a campaign event on his first visit since imposing direct rule on the region.

Rajoy while defending his decision to impose direct rule on the region said he had “exhausted all roads” after the Catalan government’s unilateral declaration of independence last month- a move which was contested by a Spanish High court.

Speaking at a campaign event in Barcelona for his Popular Party (PP) on Sunday, Mr Rajoy called on the participation of the “silent majority” to “convert their voice into a vote”.

Read also : Spanish court annuls Catalonia’s independence declaration

“We must reclaim Catalonia from the havoc of separatism,” he added, saying: “With democracy, we want to reclaim Catalonia for everyone.”

The streets of Barcelona in Spain has been thronged by scores of Catalonia independence supporters demanding the release of separatist leaders arrested and detained for their roles in the region’s demand to split from Spain.

Reports say supporters filled Avenue Marina that runs from the beach to Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia church dressed in yellow ribbons on their lapels to signify support for Catalonia independence while the jailed leaders’ families made speeches.

 

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