European Free Alliance criticises Spain’s decision to suspend the Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Brussels (CNA).- Politicians from the European Free Alliance (EFA), the group in the European Parliament which gathers together Catalan left-wing pro-independence ERC and other nationalist parties of the EU, have strongly criticised the suspension of the Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In a press communiqué titled ‘Spain’s attack on Catalan democracy’ the EFA’s President, François Alfonsi, lamented the “disturbing anti-democratic trend in Spain that runs contrary to European values” and emphasised that "Catalans democratically elected their government”. In the same vein, the President of EFA’s Euro parliamentary group, Catalan MEP Josep Maria Terricabras, noted that “the office of Foreign Minister is recognised in law and in Catalonia's statute of autonomy” and therefore, the suspension by the Spanish Constitutional Court “is a direct attack on Catalan democracy”.

“We are witnessing a disturbing anti-democratic trend in Spain that runs contrary to European values” warned EFA’s President, François Alfonsi. He made this statement in relation to the Spanish Constitutional Court’s decision to suspend the Catalan Ministry for Foreign Affairs, at least for five months, after considering it against the Spanish Constitution and exceeding the competences established in the Catalan Statute of Autonomy. In line with the Catalan Minister for Foreign Affairs, pro-independence cross-party list ‘Junts Pel Sí’ leader and former MEP Raül Romeva, Terricabras noted that “the office of Foreign Minister is recognised in law and in Catalonia's statute of autonomy” and therefore, the suspension by the Spanish Constitutional Court “is a direct attack on Catalan democracy”.

“Catalans democratically elected their government and it is not acceptable for Spain to try and undermine that democracy” stated Alfonsi. “Spain must be reminded of its obligations as a European Union member, particularly in respect of the Copenhagen criteria, which demands respect for democratic governance and human rights” warned Terricabras.

Catalonia “will continue to do foreign action”

Responding to the Constituional Court’s announcement, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont assured that Catalonia “has done, does, and will continue to do foreign action” and expressed his committment to Raül Romeva, who “will continue to be Minister”. For his part, Romeva assured that “what we are doing is absolutely within the Constitution and the Statute of Autonomy” and “we have a legitimate democratic mandate to do all this that we must do and need to do as a country”.