Mariano Rajoy claims that what happened in the Regional Parliament of Catalonia "was an unprecedented blow to democracy"

Lower House of Parliament, Madrid

"There will be no referendum", stressed Mariano Rajoy, because the government will "meet its obligations". "If anyone is called to the ballot box, they should not go because a referendum cannot be held and because this would be an absolutely illegal act".

In relation to last week's events in the Regional Parliament of Catalonia, he reiterated that "this was clearly an anti-democratic event", because it not only "deprived" regional MPs of their rights, but also "changed the legality, wiped out national sovereignty and was used to call a referendum". In other words, "this was an unprecedented blow to democracy".

As regards the offer for dialogue made by Carles Puigdemont, the President of the Government explained that "we have been talking for a long time now", but some things are non-negotiable" because they include "wiping out our national sovereignty and running roughshod over the Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia". He added that "no democratic government in any country in the world" would accept "something of this nature".

Non official translation