Catalan crisis: Spanish court bars MPs’ independence move
Image copyright EPA Image caption Pro-independence demonstrations have continued, following Sunday’s referendum
Spain’s Constitutional Court has suspended next Monday’s session of Catalan parliament, in a bid to pre-empt a possible push for independence.
The court said such a move would be “a breach of the constitution”.
Earlier Prime Minister Mario Rajoy warned Catalonia’s regional government against declaring independence after a disputed vote last Sunday.
Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont had indicated that he could make such a declaration at next week’s session.
In Thursday’s ruling, the Constitutional Court upheld a challenge by Catalonia’s Socialist Party, which opposes secession from Spain.
Allowing the regional parliament to meet and declare independence, the court said, would violate the rights of the party’s MPs.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionThe BBC’s Tom Burridge on how the crisis in Spain is likely to unfold
Organisers of Sunday’s referendum put the turnout at 42%, with 2.2 million people taking part. They say 90% voted for independence, however they have not published final results. There have been several claims of irregularities.
There was violence at polling stations as police, trying to enforce a Spanish court decision to ban the vote, attempted to seize ballot boxes and disperse voters.
More on the Catalan crisis
- Carles Puigdemont: The man who wants to break up Spain
- Divided loyalties: The couples at odds over independence
- Analysis: Biggest crisis for a generation
- Could Catalonia make a success of independence?
