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Rajoy campaign to explain "consequences" of Catalan independence

Xinhua, September 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Monday said his ruling Popular Party (PP) would explain "the consequences" of possible independence of the Catalan region in a campaign before the elections of the Catalan Regional Assembly (Generalitat).

The leader of the Generalitat Artur Mas has stated he views the Sept. 27 elections as a plebiscite for Catalan independence. If the pro-independence formation "Junts Pel Si" (Together for Yes) campaign wins a majority, he would begin taking steps towards declaring independence.

Latest opinion polls show that by aligning with another pro-independence group named Cup, Junts Pel Si would obtain a majority of seats in the Generalitat.

Although they would not win 50 percent of the vote, Mas views that as sufficient to proceed with his plans. Rajoy, on the other hand, has promised Catalan independence "will not happen."

"The consequences of cessation from Spain have not been explained to the people. They do not know the results of that stance," said Rajoy after a meeting with PP members in the Spanish Congress.

"We are going to explain to the people just what it means to abandon Europe. We are going to explain what it means to lose the rights they have as Europeans and as Spaniards and we are going to explain how grants and financial aid for agriculture will be in a different situation to the one they are in now," he said.

"Everyone can have an opinion. People need greater knowledge of the issues," he added. Endit