Escalation looms should Rajoy abolish Catalan autonomy

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy wants to abolish Catalan autonomy and take over the administration of the region on Saturday. This would further escalate the conflict between Spain and Catalonia, which is seeking independence. “The European Union just has until Saturday to start up the desperately-needed talks between the two parties,” says MEP Mark Demesmaeker. “After all, peaceful negotiations are the only solution to this political confrontation.”

Where will Spain’s chosen path end?

According to Mark Demesmaeker, Spain has chosen to tread a dangerous path: “Time and time again, Catalonia shows that it is open to dialogue. But the Spanish government continues to cross line after red line. It takes down websites, arrests cabinet staff, explains away violent conduct by the military police and locks up political prisoners. Where will it end?”

European democratic values should be maintained in the EU’s own Member States too

The N-VA is concerned that without international pressure, Rajoy will continue to refuse the olive branch extended. Europe must finally shoulder its responsibility, says European Parliament member and Vice-Chairman of the N-VA Sander Loones: “When people in faraway countries are imprisoned for political reasons, politicians line up in rows to condemn it. But now that it’s happening in a European Member State, the silence is deafening. We cannot allow the EU to disavow its own values.”