(VOVWORLD) - Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he had dissolved the Catalan parliament and announced early elections on December 21 in an effort to resolve the country’s worst political crisis in 40 years.
 Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
In a televised speech on Friday, Mr. Rajoy said that it is urgent to listen to Catalan citizens so that they can decide their future and nobody can act outside the law on their behalf.
On Saturday, European Council President Donald Tusk refused to accept the independence of Catalonia and condemned the unilateral declaration of its parliament. He stressed that Spain remains the EU’s only partner. He called on Madrid to prioritize dialogue.
Other countries voiced their opposition against Catalonia’s declaration of independence. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Catalonia is an integral part of Spain and that the US supports the Spanish government’s constitutional measures to keep Spain strong and united.
The UK, France, Italy, and Germany also affirmed their rejection over Catalonia’s declaration of independence approved by the parliament on Wednesday. Belgium and Portugal said they support the Madrid government and called for maintaining political stability in Spain.