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| @Casa de SM el Rey |
King Felipe VI of Spain spoke tonight on Spanish TV about the independence referendum in Catalan.
He did not mince words.
This is an exact transcript (Google translate) as Casa Real has not put an English translation on their site. If an official English translation is published, I will replace this one with it.
Good Evening,
We are living in very serious moments for our democratic life. And in these circumstances, I want to speak directly to all the Spaniards. We have all witnessed the events that have taken place in Catalonia, with the final claim of the Generalitat that the independence of Catalonia be proclaimed.
For some time now, certain authorities in Catalonia, in a repeated, conscious and deliberate way, have been violating the Constitution and its Statute of Autonomy, which is the Law that recognizes, protects and protects its historical institutions and self-government.
Through their decisions they systematically violated the legally and legitimately approved rules, showing an inadmissible disloyalty to the powers of the State. A State that, precisely, these authorities represent in Catalonia.
They have broken the democratic principles of every rule of law and have undermined harmony and coexistence in Catalan society itself, unfortunately coming to divide it. Today Catalan society is fractured and confronted. These authorities have disparaged the affections and feelings of solidarity which have united and united the Spaniards; and with their irresponsible behavior can even jeopardize the economic and social stability of Catalonia and of all Spain.
Message from His Majesty the King His Majesty the King during his speech Message from His Majesty the King Message from His Majesty the King
In short, all this has meant the culmination of an unacceptable attempt to appropriation of the historical institutions of Catalonia. These authorities, in a clear and emphatic manner, have been totally outside the law and democracy. They have tried to break the unity of Spain and national sovereignty, which is the right of all Spaniards to decide democratically their life together.
For all this and in view of this extremely serious situation, which requires the firm commitment of all with the general interests, it is the responsibility of the legitimate powers of the State to ensure the constitutional order and the normal functioning of the institutions, the rule of law and the self-government of Catalonia, based on the Constitution and its Statute of Autonomy.
Today I also want to transmit several messages to all Spaniards, particularly the Catalans.
To the citizens of Catalonia - to all - I want to reiterate that for decades we have lived in a democratic State that offers the constitutional ways so that anyone can defend their ideas in accordance with the law. Because, as we all know, without that respect there is no democratic coexistence possible in peace and freedom, neither in Catalonia, nor in the rest of Spain, nor anywhere in the world. In constitutional and democratic Spain, they know well that they have a space of concord and encounter with all their fellow citizens.
I know very well that in Catalonia there is also much concern and great concern with the conduct of the autonomous authorities. To those who feel this, I tell them that they are not alone, nor will they be; who have all the support and solidarity of the rest of the Spaniards, and the absolute guarantee of our Rule of Law in the defense of their freedom and their rights.
And to all the Spaniards, who live these events with uneasiness and sadness, I send them a message of tranquility, confidence and hope.
These are difficult times, but we will overcome them. These are very complex moments, but we will move forward. Because we believe in our country and we are proud of who we are. Because our democratic principles are strong, they are solid. And they are because they are based on the desire of millions and millions of Spaniards to live together in peace and freedom. Thus we have been building the Spain of the last decades. And so we must follow that path, with serenity and determination. In that way, in that Spain better than all we wish, will be also Catalonia.
I will finish these words, addressed to the whole Spanish people, to underline once again the Crown's firm commitment to the Constitution and to democracy, my dedication to understanding and concord between Spaniards, and my commitment as King to unity and the permanence of Spain.
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