​Statement by President of the Government in Lower House of Parliament

Madrid

Q.- What do you think about the decision taken by Artur Mas?

President of the Government.- As you are all aware, on 12 December last year, an announcement was made to call a referendum on self-determination; on the same day, both the government and I myself stated that this was not possible as it was in clear breach of Spanish Law and the Constitution. This referendum will not be held, Mr Mas has said this, and yesterday I described this as excellent news, and I reiterate that now, because it is a triumph for democracy and the law. No political leader or governor, whoever they may be, and not even the national parliament, can act over and above the law.

Hence, I welcome this news, I believe it is very positive and what I have to say now, in respect of the future, is that the way is now open to enter into talks and dialogue, which is what should have happened since the beginning instead of taking unilateral decisions.

The government's position is very clear; we are prepared to talk whenever this is within a lawful framework. What neither the government nor anyone else can do, either in Spain or in any other civilised democracy, is try to sidestep the law and violate the wishes of the majority of the people of Spain. Sidestepping the law is quite simply to do away with democracy.

Hence, there is one way forward. We, the government, and I believe that Spanish society as a whole - 46 million Spanish people - want to take this way and I am prepared, as always, to do so. What I am not prepared to do, as I said back then, is to do things that are against the will of the majority of our citizens.

Q.- What do you think about what has been announced for the 9th?

President of the Government.- I don't know what has been announced for the 9th, but here there is no criteria other than what we have declared on other occasions: dialogue and the law. If we see that there are things in breach of legislation, we will appeal them, as many other governments and citizens have done on many other occasions. That is what the courts are for, both the Constitutional Court and the rest of the courts.

I hope that following the experience we have gone through with this referendum, which will now not be held, that actions are taken sensibly, with moderation, balance and reason, and that the proposals to talk and enter into dialogue are accepted; but I repeat, always within the limits of the law. That is what politics and democracy are all about.

Thank you.