Spanish government rules out debate on self-determination

The Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Celáa has asserted that the debate on the right to self-determination will stay “absolutely out of the discussion,” when it begins negotiations with the Catalan executive.

She also ruled out tackling the situation of bringing imprisoned Catalan to prisons closer to home, stating that this is a matter for the judge overseeing their case, Pablo Llarena, as they are in preventive detention.

According to Celáa, one of the main problem faced by the new Spanish government is “territorial integrity,” saying that they will work the “the institutional normalization” of Spain.

Financial supervision suspended

The Spanish government has also agreed on giving instructions to banks so that the Catalan executive can make payments without the supervision of Spain’s treasury. This is due to the lifting of direct rule in Catalonia, and a “gesture of normalization” toward the Catalan government.

Despite the lifting of “financial supervision,” the government will have to send monthly reports all the same.

Under direct rule, and the application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, Madrid had been controlling Catalan finances since September last year. The forming of a new Catalan government after the last one was sacked by Rajoy’s executive following a declaration of independence led the way to direct rule being lifted.

Llarena summoned to Belgian court

Carles Puigdemont and his deposed cabinet members in Brussels have filed a lawsuit against the Spanish Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena, in charge of the independence case, before the Belgian judiciary. As a result, a magistrate there has summoned Llarena for September 4.

The reasons behind the lawsuit include the fact that, according to them, their rights to “an impartial and independent judge” have been violated, as well as their right to a “fair trial” and “presumption of innocence.” As a result of Llarena’s summons, Puigdemont, and deposed ministers Comín, Serret and Puig have also requested his recusal (judicial disqualification.) “The judiciary power law clearly says that a judge can be disqualified if he has a trial pending with one of the parts of the case they are hearing,” explained Comín.

Judge Llarena can attend the summons in person or send a legal representative, according to the officials' lawyers.