Timmermans says governments must uphold rule of law

The European Commission Vice President has called on Spain and Catalonia to keep all lines of communications open, in order to find a solution to the current impasse following Sunday’s controversial independence referendum for the region.


Speaking in the European Parliament, Frans Timmermans reiterated the commission’s view that the under Spanish constitution, Sunday’s vote was not legal.

Mr Timmermans said the regional government of Catalonia had ignored the law by holding the referendum, and he said the matter was an internal one for Spain, which had to be dealt with in line with constitutional order of Spain.

The Commission Vice President said it did not change the fact that everyone saw saddening images on Sunday.

"Violence doesn't solve anything in politics," he said.

He also said it was the duty of any Government to uphold the rule of law and sometimes that requires the "proportionate use of force".
  [rte.ie]
 4/10/17
-
Related:

• Catalogne: le président indépendantiste Carles Puigdemont s'exprimera mercredi soir
• Felipe VI acusó al Gobierno autonómico de Cataluña de instalarse en una "deslealtad inadmisible"
• Tusk demande à l'Espagne "d'éviter un nouvel usage de la force"