Central government to challenge Catalan assembly’s sovereignty declaration

The Spanish government said on the 1 March 2013 that it would challenge the legality of a sovereignty declaration made by the Catalan assembly in January 2013 with the Constitutional Court.

The decision was taken after the administration of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy received the backing to do so from the State Council, a consultative body whose rulings are non-binding. The Council issued a judgment on the 28 February 2013 that indicated there are sufficient legal grounds to dispute the assembly’s declaration on 23 January 2013 the Catalan people constitute a 'sovereign political and legal entity'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Catalonia is following Scotland towards independence referendum in 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalonia-is-following-scotland-towards-independence-referendum-in-2014/

ESO: Background information: Andalusian Socialists lay out plan for federal Spain http://www.europeansources.info/record/andalusian-socialists-lay-out-plan-for-federal-spain/

ESO: Background information: Leading Catalan parties agree self-rule referendum for 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/leading-catalan-parties-agree-self-rule-referendum-for-2014/

Huffington Post, 23.01.13: Catalonia Declares Sovereignty From Spain: Symbolic Gesture Paves The Way For Independence Referendum http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/24/catalonia-declares-sovereignty-spain-independence_n_2534968.html

Catalan News Agency, 26.02.13: The Spanish Parliament rejects two petitions to negotiate for allowing a self-determination referendum in Catalonia http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/politics/spanish-parliament-rejects-two-petitions-negotiate-allowing-self-determination-referen

Catalan News Agency: Topic: Catalonia-Spain Relations http://www.catalannewsagency.com/topic/Catalonia-Spain%20Relations

Catalan News Agency, 23.01.13: The Catalan Parliament approves the ‘Declaration of sovereignty and the right to self-determination by the people of Catalonia’ (includes English language text of Delaration) http://www.catalannewsagency.com/news/politics/catalan-parliament-approves-%E2%80%98declaration-sovereignty-and-right-self-determination-peop

---