Spanish government celebrates “failure” of rally against its Catalonia policy

The Spanish government celebrated the “failure” of Sunday rally against its Catalonia policy in Madrid, according to executive sources. For them, the low number of demonstrators showed that “society has turned their back on the rage of the right”.

Around 45,000 people demonstrated this Sunday in Madrid against the Spanish government's efforts to engage in dialogue with Catalan pro-independence parties, according to the Spanish government. The demonstration was called by PP, Ciudadanos, and far-right Vox to defend the “unity of Spain” and call for a fresh election. PP and Ciutadans said 200,000 people attended the rally.  

During a speech in Santander, President Pedro Sánchez said he “respects” the protest, but demanded “loyalty” from PP and Ciutadans. In this sense, Sánchez recalled that he gave support to Mariano Rajoy's government to apply direct rule in Catalonia while he was in the opposition. 

Sánchez defended that he has respected the Constitution and only wants to resolve “a state crisis” aggravated by PP policies during the last seven years.

Torra calls for dialogue

Meanwhile, Catalan President Quim Torra asked President Sánchez on Sunday to “reconsider” dialogue after “the resounding failure” of the rally in Madrid. “We're waiting for him at the table to talk,” he offered.

“No option but repression”

The Spanish minister José Luís Ábalos warned this Sunday that “if dialogue fails” they will be sending the message that there is no other option but “repression” to face the Catalan crisis. For this, Ábalos ask “sanity” to the opposition parties PP and Ciutadans.