Advisory body counsels Spanish government not to challenge anti-monarchy motion

Spain’s most senior advisory body, the Council of State, has advised the Spanish government not to challenge the motion against the monarchy passed in the Catalan Parliament two weeks ago.

This comes after the Socialist cabinet in Madrid announced its intention to take the measure to the Constitutional Court.

The Council of State says that the Catalan Parliament “cannot oppose acts performed by the head of state.” However, the chamber can “express its disapproval” of some of the king’s actions.

According to the advisory body, the political debate “is not subject to limits that impede taking stances contrary to the Constitution.”

The Parliament's resolution is a “serious violation of the principle of constitutional loyalty,” says the Council of State, but it considers that the response to it has to be political.