“Avoid using force” says European Commission’s Prez to Spanish PM over #CataloniaReferendum

Madrid, October 3: President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker on Monday gave Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy his support over the issue of Catalan independence. According to Spanish media, the two leaders held a telephonic conversation wherein Juncker expressed his support for constitutional order in Spain following the independence referendum held in the Catalan region. 

 

The aforementioned referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish Constitutional Court. Junker reportedly also asked Rajoy to avoid further tension and the use of force. The conversation came after the European Commission issued a communique earlier in the day, agreeing with the Spanish government that the referendum was "not legal."

"This is an internal matter for Spain that has to be dealt with in line with the constitutional order of Spain," commented the Commission, adding that an independent Catalonia "would find itself outside of the European Union." The Commission also mentioned the tactics used by the National Police and Civil Guards against voters, saying "violence can never be an instrument in politics."

Rajoy also held meetings on Monday with Pedro Sanchez, the leader of Spanish Socialist Party and Albert Rivera, the leader of center-right party Ciudadanos to discuss possible future action and government’s response to the crisis situation. Rivera said he wants to see Rajoy's government invoke 155 of the Spanish Constitution to temporarily override the autonomy of the Catalan region and call new regional elections. Sanchez is thought to prefer looking for dialogue with Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.