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

Madrid

Q.- I would like to know your reaction to the announcement made by Artur Mas yesterday and the plan he has proposed.

President of the Government .- In reality, there is not much new compared with what we have seen during this entire episode.

I want to say that Mr Mas has taken yet another step on the road to nowhere, which has turned him into the president of part of the people of Catalonia, and indeed a minority part; he has abandoned the vast majority, in other words those who haven't wished to accompany him on what took place in Catalonia on 9 November. He is going down the opposite path to that which is taking place in the rest of the world, which is integration; the clearest example being the European Union. He is endeavouring to force the people of Catalonia to choose between their status as Catalans and Spaniards, and between their status as Catalans and Europeans, which is something that makes no sense and goes against the very freedom and rights of citizens.

Secondly, I would like to say that it is worrying that in Catalonia, at this time, there is a regional government deficit. Since 2010, when Mr Mas won his first elections, we have been holding elections and referendums, and he is now announcing that in the near future we will be holding one or perhaps two more elections, although we don't know when. This is very worrying because the main priority at this time must be to tackle the economic crisis, by achieving greater economic growth than we are enjoying at the present time and creating jobs. Hence, it is very worrying to see the regional government deficit in Catalonia at this time.

Finally, I want to say to you that the Government of Spain, I myself, and a great many other people will continue to defend national sovereignty; our constitutional text, which has provided us with the greatest period of progress and well-being in the modern history of Spain; we will continue to defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of our citizens and, of course, defend equality among all Spaniards.

The citizens of Catalonia can rest assured that, despite the things we are seeing in the Regional Government of Catalonia - its complete and utter lack of action and non-governance - regional government suppliers will continue to get paid, public services will continue to operate and receive financing and the government will continue to settle the debt maturities of the Regional Government of Catalonia.

Thank you very much.