Spain’s top court rules to remove Catalan chief from office | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Spain’s top court rules to remove Catalan chief from office

Madrid | ByAssociated Press| Posted by: Harshit Sabarwal
Sep 28, 2020 10:58 PM IST

The ruling that Quim Torra disobeyed Spain’s electoral law triggers a new period of political uncertainty in the northeastern region where a demand by some for independence has triggered the country’s biggest constitutional crisis in decades.

Spain’s Supreme Court on Monday effectively barred Catalonia’s regional president from his office for refusing to remove a banner that called for the release of imprisoned separatist leaders and was displayed on a public building ahead of the 2019 general election.

Torra, who has in the past encouraged acts of civil disobedience in response to Spanish judicial rulings, didn’t immediately react to the ruling.(Reuters Photo)
Torra, who has in the past encouraged acts of civil disobedience in response to Spanish judicial rulings, didn’t immediately react to the ruling.(Reuters Photo)

The ruling that Quim Torra disobeyed Spain’s electoral law triggers a new period of political uncertainty in the northeastern region where a demand by some for independence has triggered the country’s biggest constitutional crisis in decades.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

According to the existing regulations, Torra’s deputy should take over as president-in-charge until the regional parliament elects a new leader or a new election is held.

Pro-secession activists reacted by calling for protests later Monday in the regional capital, Barcelona.

In their ruling, the panel of judges unanimously agreed to uphold last year’s decision by a lower court to ban Torra from holding any public office for 18 months and fine him 30,000 euros (USD 35,000).

Torra, a staunch separatist who became the head of Catalonia’s government following the 2017 push for the region’s independence from Spain, had previously criticised the case as an act of repression against the democratic mandate of voters in the region.

His predecessor, Carles Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium after the Spanish government deposed him for pushing ahead with an independence declaration, criticised the court’s decision.

“Once more, the Spanish state interferes in our democratic institutions,” Puigdemont wrote in a tweet.

Torra had remained at the helm of Catalonia during the appeal but Monday’s decision must be implemented even if the case is taken to the European Court of Human Rights, as pledged by Torra’s defense team.

The banner at the center of the case referred to a dozen former Catalan Cabinet members, lawmakers and activists who were imprisoned or left Spain following a declaration of independence in October 2017.

The court on Friday said Torra had “stubbornly” disobeyed the country’s electoral board by refusing to take it down from a balcony in the regional government’s headquarters.

In hearings, Torra and his defense lawyers had argued that he was defending the higher cause of political and human rights. But the Supreme Court judges said that the electoral board’s order didn’t violate Torra’s right to free speech, only limited what he could do in his role as an elected official.

Torra, who has in the past encouraged acts of civil disobedience in response to Spanish judicial rulings, didn’t immediately react to the ruling.

Polls and election results show that the 7.5 million residents of Catalonia, a wealthy northeastern region, are roughly equally split on the question of whether it should become independent from Spain.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On