Spanish ruling party leader in Catalonia determined to stop referendum law

The leader in Catalonia of Spain's ruling People's Party (PP), requested a meeting with the Catalan president before August 16, he announced in a press conference. Xavier García Albiol aims to convince the head of the government, Carles Puigdemont, to halt plans to pass a referendum law. This legal text, developed by pro-independence lawmakers in the Catalan chamber, has been designed as the key element to provide the plebiscite with a legal framework despite Spain’s opposition. The referendum is due to be held on October 1.

The deadline set by García Albiol to meet Puigdemont is relevant, as the Catalan Parliament Bureau is expected to decide what to do with the referendum law on August 16. The parties in favor of creating a new state registered the bill just before the summer break, so the Bureau will have this hot topic on the table to kick off the new season. The body’s majority is pro-independence and willing to allow the legislation to be discussed in a Parliament plenary session. Nevertheless, the Spanish Constitutional Court has already warned them that if they go ahead, they may face criminal charges.