Rajoy plays down importance of Brussels demonstration

Mariano Rajoy’s visit yesterday in Lleida was his first as part of the December 21 election campaign and came just one day after the massive pro-independence march in Brussels. Rajoy reaffirmed his “respect” for the right of people to express their opinions, but emphasised the need to defend “the unity of Spain, the Constitution, the rule of law and to continue as part of the EU” and said that he would fight the “dreams”of those who are “against the times and European values and principles.”

Rajoy was taking part in a popular feast in Lleida to support the PP candidate in the coming Catalan elections, Xavier García Albiol, while taking advantage of the occasion to also celebrate Albiol’s 50th birthday. During the rally, which was also attended by Dolors Montserrat and the candidate for Lleida, Marisa Xandri, the Spanish prime minister called for voters to turn out in force to “restore cohabitation” in Catalonia and put aside the “chimeras” which have recently marked Catalan politics.

Rajoy blamed the “delirium of independence” and “drift away from the law by previous Catalan leaders” for the implementation of Article 155. Albiol criticised the PSC leader Miquel Iceta for attempting to please those who have been trying to create divisions in Catalonia.