Spanish PM refuses Catalan proposal to start independence process

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy refused the deal agreed by two political parties of the Catalan parliament to start a process towards the independence of the region.

Pro-independence parties Junts pel Si and CUP agreed to begin a process towards "an independent Catalan state structured as a republic" as according to them after the elections of September 27 the process has the support needed, Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

Rajoy refused the deal and said that the proposal was contrary to the Spanish constitution.

"The government guarantees and will guarantee they will not meet any of their goals," he said, adding that if the proposal is passed by the Catalonian parliament it will not have any impact.

Rajoy assured that those who want to separate and split Catalonia from Spain should know they will not meet that goal "because they are going to do it against the majority of Catalans and Spaniards".

Regional elections in Catalonia were held last September 27. Pro-independence political parties won parliamentary elections having a majority of seats but not of votes.