Rajoy rules out national election after pro-independence parties win Catalan vote

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has ruled out calling a national election after Catalan pro-independence parties won a majority in a regional vote, thwarting his bid to resolve the country's biggest political crisis in decades.


Mr Rajoy had gambled on unionist parties taking control of Catalonia's regional government, which he sacked in October for illegally pursuing independence from Spain.

Speaking at a news conference, Mr Rajoy said he would make an effort to hold talks with the new Catalan government.

However, he did not clarify whether he would be willing to meet deposed Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, who is in self-imposed exile in Brussels and whose party retained its position as the largest separatist force.

Mr Rajoy said: "The person I should be meeting with is with the one who won the elections, and that is Mrs Arrimadas,"

Mr Rajoy was referring to centrist, anti-independence candidate Ines Arrimadas, whose Ciudadanos party won the best individual result in yesterday's vote - even as the bloc of separatist parties maintained its absolute majority.

Mr Puigdemont has offered to meet Mr Rajoy outside Spain for talks on the region's independence crisis following the vote.

Mr Puigdemont was speaking to reporters in Brussels, where he fled after his region's parliament declared independence from Spain. Should he return, he faces arrest on charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of funds.
 [rte.ie]
 22/12/17
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Related:

• Pro-Unity Ciudadanos wins Catalan election but secessionists maintain majority
• Spain's PM seeks pro-Spanish unity vote in Catalonia snap elections