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

Madrid

Q.- (Inaudible)

President of the Government.- I am asked about the words from Mr Rufián. I am not going to get into any form of controversy with Mr Rufián, nor am I going to categorise his words. What I am concerned about is what is important, which is what is taking place.

What we have seen in Catalonia is an attempt to wipe out the Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia; the plenary sessions of the Regional Parliament of Catalonia on 6 and 7 [September] were an example of what a democratic Parliament should never do and this is unprecedented conduct, with people now flaunting the law and acting in violation of the Spanish Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy, and logically, the State must respond to this.

No democratic State in the world would accept what is being proposed by these people. They were warned, they knew that the referendum could not be held because it meant wiping out the national sovereignty and the right of each Spanish person to decide on what they want their country to be, and as I have said on other occasions I would call for this to be rectified, for us to see a return to normality and common sense because, as I have already said, the referendum cannot be held. And I am very sorry about this. I hope that this dynamic does not persist, because I believe it is neither helpful nor leads to anywhere.

Q.- What should Mr Puigdemont do to re-direct this situation?

Secondly, are you facing the most important challenge in your time as President of the Government?

President of the Government.- The only thing I would ask Mr Puigdemont for is to follow the law. We are all under an obligation to follow the law, and much more so those people who govern. You cannot pass in three hours, as happened on 7 [September] a new Constitution, the so-called Legal Transience Act. That is profoundly anti-democratic. All those countries in the world that have a Constitution debate this for many months, or even years. What they are doing here is trampling over the rights of everyone, by not allowing MPs to speak and completely flaunting the law. And, of course, if in Spain the law is not upheld then there will be injustice, chaos and the law of the jungle will prevail. In all honesty, we simply cannot accept this in any way whatsoever.

I repeat, I believe that what common sense and reason dictate, what is best for everyone, for absolutely everyone, is for this foolishness, that leads to nowhere, to be put into reverse gear.

Thank you very much.

Non official translation