Madrid confirms lifting of direct rule when new executive is formed

The Spanish government confirmed on Friday that the direct rule over Catalonia will be lifted “as soon as a new executive is formed” in the country. Its spokesman, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, ruled out that the unprecedented measures against Catalan self-rule would be kept when a new government takes office. This, after some questions over the issue emerged this week when the unionist Ciutadans leader, Albert Rivera, asked for direct rule to be maintained. “Even if there is a new government, Article 155 cannot be lifted until there is a commitment to respect the law and the Constitution,” said Rivera in an interview on Spanish television.

After Spain’s cabinet meeting on Friday, Méndez de Vigo also confirmed that the intervention of Catalonia’s finances would also be lifted as soon as Quim Torra –if finally elected– appoints a government.

Yet he also warned that Rajoy’s executive will react similarly to the last independence push if the breach of law “is repeated.” Méndez de Vigo referred to Torra’s former job in the insurance field by saying that the possible president-to-be will have to assess “the risk of what he says and does.” Méndez de Vigo also said that Torra’s first task should be “stitching together the confrontations between Catalans” and being “president of all Catalans and not only one part of them.”

Dialogue?

“If there is a swearing in session, president and government, we would like that a period for dialogue and institutional loyalty is started,” the Spanish cabinet spokesman said. Indeed, Mariano Rajoy said on Thursday that he is ready for engaging in dialogue but on two conditions: that the Catalan executive acts within the Spanish law, and that the discussions do not tackle anything outside this legal framework. For Rajoy’s executive, a referendum, even if it is agreed, would be illegal.