Spanish Congress rejects motion for dialogue with Catalonia

MADRID, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish Congress on Tuesday voted to reject a motion presented by the Catalan Republican Left party (ERC) asking for a dialogue with any future Catalan regional government.

Combined votes of the ruling People's Party (PP), the Socialist Party (PSOE) and the center-right Ciudadanos party defeated the motion as Catalonia lacks a regional government following last week's decision to postpone the investiture of Carles Puigdemont, who is currently exiled in Belgium.

PP Deputy Alicia Sanchez Camacho said ERC "cannot give lessons in dialogue when they have attempted a coup against the Spanish State, the law institutions and history."

Meanwhile, PSOE member Marc Lamu told pro-independence parties in Catalonia to form a government which returns to respect, legality and the Spanish Constitution.

In contrast, ERC spokesman Joan Tarda compared the leaders of the Catalan independence movement to Mahatma Gandhi, who had led India to independence in 1947 from the colonial British rule, and Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected president.

"The British Empire never dared to charge Gandhi with rebellion and he also fought for independence," said Tarda. Enditem