Statement by President of the Government following approval of resolution by Parliament of Catalonia

Béjar City Council, Salamanca

"I am here to inform you that, at the same time as the Parliament of Catalonia approved a resolution whereby it intends to launch an illegal process to create an independent Catalan republic; the Government of Spain took a decision and has acted accordingly.

I have just signed, here at Béjar Town Council, an urgent request for a report from the State Council to then lodge a corresponding appeal of unconstitutionality. We asked for this report to be issued within 24 hours and, as soon as we hear news, the General Committee of State Secretaries and Under-Secretaries will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, to present the proposed agreement for lodging the appeal to the Council of Ministers.

Following the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers to be held on Wednesday morning, I will sign the appeal of unconstitutionality and request, as a prerogative of the Government of Spain, the immediate suspension of this initiative and all its possible effects. Furthermore, we will also request that the suspension, if agreed, be expressly communicated to the Speaker of the Catalan Parliament in order for her to bear in mind that the appealed initiative has no value and can have no consequences.

I have informed the leader of the main opposition party of my decision. On Tuesday, I will meet with him and the Government of Spain will inform the other political parties, as I previously said would be the case. We are all working together, because Spain belongs to us all, regardless of what we may think.

As you are aware, I have had the opportunity in recent days to meet with various political leaders, as well as the main economic and social stakeholders. I would like to express gratitude for the support and backing received recently; support for Spanish democracy and majority backing for the unity of Spain.

After hearing everyone's opinion and receiving their support, I am certain that the majority of Spanish society is united behind this challenge while, in Catalan society, the sovereignty intentions have done nothing but lead to uncertainty and division. I am convinced that most of society wishes to defend the unity of the Spanish nation through the unity of political forces, and I am sure that the people of Spain demand that equality and the law prevail over those wishing to impose their own will over and above the rules of democracy and the majority sentiment in society.

The government I lead will not allow this to continue; I have always said that and I reiterate it today. We are determined to use all means provided to democracy by the Rule of Law to defend that democracy. We will only apply the Rule of Law, but all aspects of the Rule of Law; only the law, but the law in its entirety; only democracy, but the full force of democracy.

And this is the first step. I would like it to be the last, but that does not depend on those of us defending co-existence but rather on the futile efforts of those attacking it; co-existence that has given us the longest period of freedom and prosperity, the most fruitful period as a nation, the best years in the history of Spain.

I understand the weariness and indignation felt by so many Spaniards at this ongoing attempt to delegitimise our institutions and our life in common. I understand the anxiety that so many Catalans may feel today regarding an initiative that not only spurns the law but also the very plurality of Catalan society.

To all of them, I say this: you can rest assured and trust in your institutions. Catalonia will neither separate from anywhere nor will there be any kind of fracture. Nobody will be forced to choose or renounce their Spanish and European identity, nobody will lose the protection afforded by the Spanish democratic laws that protect the rights and equality of all.

We are a free and European nation, a consolidated and advanced democracy, one of the leading powers on the continent and a society of free and equal citizens. We have worked hard to stand where we do today, and we are going to preserve all the good results we have achieved together. That is why we are launching every mechanism available to avoid anyone claiming unlimited and uncontrolled powers beyond the realm of democracy and the law.

We are going to defend and preserve democracy throughout Spain; we are going to defend its fundamental principle, i.e. the sovereignty that resides in the nation as a whole; and with the appeal I am announcing here, I assume my obligation as leader and my conviction as a democrat and a Spaniard.

Thank you very much".