Rajoy demands that new Catalan government complies with Spanish constitution

The Spanish president, Mariano Rajoy, has demanded that the next Catalan government complies with “the constitutional order and the rule of law”. He called on all Catalan political forces to form a Catalan government “soon” in order to “normalize” the current political situation in the country. The head of the Spanish executive also defended the enforcement of Article 155 of the Spanish constitution and Madrid's subsequent takeover of Catalonia. He stated that Article 155 is "legal” and “democratic”.

In the opening of the Spain Investors Day, Rajoy highlighted that the political uncertainty in Catalonia is "the only shadow" that blocks economic growth in Spain. He argued that the political situation in Catalonia has reduced the growth forecasts in 2018 to 2.3%. Nevertheless, he insisted that the economic figures will improve if the situation in Catalonia changes. In addition, Rajoy accused pro-independence parties of “questioning” Spanish democracy and of generating “legal insecurity” for companies.