Spanish Constitutional Court nullifies Catalan independence resolution

Catalan government says text "remains immutable", its "political effect" not stopped

02.12.201513.30h

Spain's Constitutional Court today struck down a Parliament of Catalonia resolution launching a process for the creation of an independent Catalan republic. The decision comes after the Court had earlier accepted an appeal against the Catalan resolution filed by the Spanish government.

The resolution was passed on November 9th with votes for from pro-independence parties Together for Yes (JxSí) and CUP, which together hold 72 of 135 seats in the Catalan semi-autonomous legislature.

The resolution says Catalonia will be opening a "constitution-making process" which will not be "subject to the decisions taken by the bodies of the Spanish state, in particular of the Constitutional Court, which [the Catalan Parliament] considers to be delegitimized".

"Immutable" text, "political effect" still valid

Catalan government deputy president Neus Munté today said the resolution "remains immutable" even after the Constitutional Court's decision. The "political effect" of the declaration and the "democratic mandate" for independence, Munté argued, will not be stopped by any court decision.