​Mariano Rajoy insists that the economy can grow by up to 3% in 2018 if the situation in Catalonia returns to normal

Cadena Cope, Madrid

The President of the Government insisted that the application of Article 155 of the Constitution, although "exceptional" and "unprecedented", is working in "a reasonable manner". Among other aspects, he highlighted that "it has served to return to normality to a great extent" and ensured that "all Spanish people know that the State can defend itself". Indeed, he added that one fact was very positive: the separatist groups will stand for "elections called by the President of the Government of Spain, under the Spanish Constitution and the Catalan Statute of Autonomy".

He denied that the Government has been "spineless" with respect to Catalonia, and explained that Article 155 was applied when institutional loyalty had been broken. "I hope that from now on, the political leaders will be loyal to the laws that they themselves have created, as happens in other countries".

Article 155

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoThe President of the Government explained that this article of the Constitution was not applied earlier for two reasons: first, as it was an "exceptional" measure, the decision had to be taken "with as many supporting arguments as possible"; and second, neither the PSOE [Spanish Socialist Workers' Party] nor Ciudadanos "wanted to apply Article 155 until recently" and it was important for the PP not to act alone.

He stressed that Article 155 is an exception that "must be applied for a short time". In fact, he said that "we are calling elections so that it no longer need be applied".

In addition, he stressed that the only sectors of society that have been intervened are those considered relevant and that are within the "competence of State powers," such as Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and the Treasury.

The elections on 21 December

With respect to the elections called in Catalonia for 21 December, Mariano Rajoy stated that the Government has already "performed its function" and that the time has now come for the people, who are those who must decide: "I have made a call for a mass turnout and I hope that the non-separatist parties will win the elections". At any event, he warned, "whoever wins the elections" is obliged to obey the law.

With respect to the Catalan leaders who at this time are being investigated or in custody pending trial, the President of the Government has explained that all of them may stand at the elections, given that they have not been disqualified (disqualification can only come after a final judgement by the courts). However, he added that "it would be absurd for a person in prison to become regional councillor" because "he could then not perform his duties".

Asked about the position of the PSC [Catalan Socialist Party] with respect to the formation of the new Regional Government of Catalonia, Mariano Rajoy answered that it is difficult to know what pacts will be reached after the elections. At any event, he recalled that the PSC has supported the application of Article 155 of the Constitution and "that is very positive".

The lies of separatism

The President of the Government also talked about "the big lies" of nationalism. He explained that it is not only as they now say, that Catalonia was not prepared for independence, but that it was said that it would not affect the economy and yet more than 2,000 companies have already left and the economic growth forecast has had to be cut to 2.3%. "What was said about the economy was a lie; it was a lie that they were prepared, it was a lie that if they became independent they would not leave Europe and it was a lie that they would have the support of Europe. They have not had the support of a single country of the 28 that make up the EU".

On this point, Rajoy has insisted that if Catalonia recovers its normality starting in January, the growth forecast for the economy in 2018 would rise by between 5 and 7 tenths of a percentage point to 2.8% or 3%. What's more, 500,000 jobs would be created, as has happened this year. The President of the Government also expressed his desire for the companies that left during the separatist process to return to Catalonia.

Dialogue with Carles Puigdemont impossible

As the President of the Government explained, his last talks with Carles Puigdemont were "very frustrating". Carles Puigdemont insisted on holding a referendum in Catalonia, although he knew that the President of the Government of Spain would never authorise it. "I was told, you can talk about terms and procedures, but you can't talk about the referendum because it will be held whatever happens". It was an "impossible negotiation", he added, that ultimately ended with the application of Article 155.

Pool Moncloa/Diego Crespo

With respect to the current situation of Carles Puigdemont, Mariano Rajoy said that it was "certainly complicated", as he decided to go to Brussels on his own account. If in the end he is a candidate on 21 December, his election campaign will be "purely as a victim". As regards the flight of the former Catalan regional president, he noted that "after everything I have seen in recent months, few things surprise me anymore".

Constitutional reform

The President of the Government stressed that in 1978 there was an agreement for a "highly decentralised State" so that everyone could feel "comfortable" in Spain. He explained that this broad agreement was based on a key principle: institutional loyalty. He said that in recent times this principle has been breached in Catalonia: "If the Regional Government of Catalonia had behaved loyally, then things would have undoubtedly happened in another way and we would have been saved all these problems we have had".

Mariano Rajoy insisted that although "I have never been in favour" of reforming the Constitution, unless it is "very clear" what such a reform is for, he has announced himself "prepared to listen and talk to everyone". However, he stressed that he would not accept the questioning of principles such as national sovereignty, the unity of Spain, equality of all Spanish people with respect to rights and obligations and the defence of constitutional rights.

Foreign interference in Catalonia

With respect to the campaign in the social media early in October, Mariano Rajoy has clarified that it was soon evident that "there had been a perfectly organised effort using bots to launch false news, always against Spain". As he explained, 55% of these false profiles were in Russia, 30% had their origin in Venezuela, and "only three were real".

Asked about the possibility that the Russian Government is involved in this campaign, Mariano Rajoy answered, "Not at all. I can only make statements about the facts I have received as proven, because I am the President of the Government and therefore I will be responsible. I don't have any information to tell me that the Russian Government is behind it, none at all".

He added that this is not a new situation in Europe because the same thing happened with 'Brexit' and with the last French elections when there was support for Marine Le Pen. "This is a battle of which we in Europe are aware and work is being done on it". He added that it is possible that certain groups wanted things not to go well in Europe, a region in the world that accounts for 25% of global GDP and that supports the Welfare State and democracy.

Regional financing

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoOn another front, President of the Government Rajoy again expressed his intention to complete his term in office, whatever happens on 21 December in Catalonia. "I am always in favour of mandates lasting four years, because that transmits a feeling of normality, it offers security".

Asked about the possibility of establishing a system based on a special tax agreement (cupo) in Catalonia, similar to that in Navarre and the Basque Country, he said that Navarre and Álava had this system during the dictatorship. With the arrival of democracy, "a great effort" was made and they were included in the Constitution. In addition, it was agreed to establish a system of regional funding for the rest of the autonomous regions that would be renegotiated from time to time.

Mariano Rajoy also recalled that a committee would now be set up in the Lower House of Parliament to assess the regional model and deal with the subject of financing. "I am in favour of a model that applies to everyone. Adjustments will have to be made if there are things that are not good, but it is impossible to have a model of regional financing that does not have the agreement of everyone".

Political action

At the same time, Mariano Rajoy praised the actions of the police forces during the whole process, as well as the judicial system. He noted that on 1 October, "great work was done", which was "praiseworthy", as that day "things managed to function reasonably well".

With respect to the strike organised on 3 October in Catalonia, the President of the Government declared that it was "an action by extremists, radicals and separatists," and that it could not be considered a "run-of-the-mill strike" given that the major Spanish and Catalan unions such as UGT and Comisiones Obreras did not take part.

He said that "more than 200 people and 200 vehicles have been identified and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated to penalise these people, in some cases judicial and in others purely administrative. There has also been express mention of the use of children to block motorways. "I'm not talking about politics, I'm talking about humanity".

Europe, a community of values

The President of the Government recalled that in modern society, the process of integration is a major driving force, and we are not talking about a State with borders, but of Europe.

Pool Moncloa/Diego Crespo

In this respect, the President of the Government stated that "Europe is, among other things, a community of values, and the European values are democracy, freedom, the rule of law and a State based on higher law, and here the law and the rule of law have received a slap in the face". However, he said he felt "backed, supported and cheered" by the Member States of the European Union.

The State of autonomous regions

With respect to the decentralisation of the Spanish State, Mariano Rajoy said that there was "agreement by the overwhelming majority" that our citizens want a State based on autonomous regions, as it "is a good way of guaranteeing solidarity between Spanish people". Mariano Rajoy recalled that Spain "has a system of welfare, health, public pensions and public education" that is not comparable with that of other States. It is "an instrument for excellence that demonstrates a State is a State.

Finally, he highlighted that Spain is the twelfth largest economic power in the world, the third most important country in the tourist industry and the biggest host country for Erasmus students.

Non official translation