Rajoy rules out ‘mediation or negotiation’

Spanish President Mariano Rajoy has responded to calls for mediation in the political crisis in Catalonia by adamantly ruling out any talks with the Catalan president. On Thursday, Rajoy responded to various offers and calls for mediation, insisting that “the unity of Spain cannot be the subject of any mediation or negotiation.” Addressing Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, Rajoy added that only if he “returns to legality” can there be any hope of “dialogue, talks and agreement”.

Rajoy’s comments came a day after the Catalan president issued a statement stressing the need for mediation in the conflict, and Puigdemont reiterated his government’s willingness to accept one of the offers so far put forward. “Peace, dialogue and agreement are part of the political culture of our people, but we have not received any positive response from Spain to any of the mediation options that are already on the table,” the president said.