Mariano Rajoy highlights his duty to defend the general interest of Spain

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

During an interview for the Más de Uno programme on Onda Cero, the President of the Government acknowledged that this is a "significant" week for Catalan and Spanish politics.

Although Mariano Rajoy agrees with the concept of governance by the party receiving the most votes, he explained that "there are exceptions to every general rule"; meaning it would be "very sensible and reasonable" to build an alternative against "those who would dismantle Spain".

"Coexistence by all Spaniards is provided for by law"

Mariano Rajoy insisted that the elections being held in Catalonia on Sunday are regional elections to choose the new Parliament of Catalonia. As regards the result, he said that - no matter what - "the law will be followed because that is what governs coexistence by all Spaniards".

Pool MoncloaEven though the President of the Government believes there has only been a "desire for monologue" to date, he reiterated his willingness to enter dialogue. However, he will never accept anyone questioning the unity of Spain, national sovereignty, the fundamental rights enshrined for the people by the Spanish Constitution or equality among Spaniards. "Whatever happens, national sovereignty is what the people of Spain as a whole decide", he said.

Mariano Rajoy explained that, under current law, the Parliament of Catalonia can launch a process to reform the statute of autonomy or the Spanish Constitution and then submit it to the Parliament of Spain for a vote. Any other option (declaration of independence or constituent process), said the President of the Government, "goes against what the law states". "It has no legal value. Naturally, we would take the matter to the Constitutional Court and that's it", he added.

"The consequences of supposed independence are not being explained"

The President of the Government believes that the pro-independence candidacy is merely producing more tension and more problems for the people of Catalonia. He believes that we are dealing with a period of "absolute disinformation" because people are not being told about the consequences of supposed independence.

The President of the Government said that the best thing that could happen after Sunday would be for the country to enter a period of calm, "with normal governments". He stressed that neither programmes nor policies are being debated in these elections. "This is the drama stemming from what is happening right now. I am committed to ending this period of tension and uncertainty", he said.

Mariano Rajoy questioned how certain individuals can present independence "as the panacea for curing all ills" because "it is not true". "Catalonia would be removed from the EU, the future of pensions would be uncertain and we have no idea what would happen with the financial entities, deposits or the currency", he said.

Hence, the President of the Government urged the people of Catalonia to vote on Sunday to avoid finding themselves with a Catalan Parliament and a Catalan society they do not want. He went on to say that the candidacy that includes Artur Mas "is an amalgam that is incapable of producing any policies, which is why an actual programme is not being discussed".

Defending the unity of Spain and the law

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government stressed that the only thing that matters to him and that he is defending is "the general interest of Spain". In his opinion, what matters is "defending the unity of Spain, defending the law, defending the right for all Spaniards to decide what Spain is -and not only a certain few- and defending the people of Catalonia from being stripped of one of their conditions".

As regards the debate between Minister García-Margallo and Oriol Junqueras, Mariano Rajoy said it is "very healthy" because "it can lead to highly positive results" and help the people understand the consequences of this process.

A new regional financing model will be agreed during the next legislature

Mariano Rajoy also recalled that, in 2012, the financial situation of the Regional Government of Catalonia led by Artur Mas was "certainly dramatic". Catalonia is now being financed at 0% interest. Artur Más was insisting at the time that Catalonia should have a financing model similar to those of the Basque Country or Navarre, which is why he was urged to present his initiative to Parliament, added Mariano Rajoy.

In this regard, the President of the Government said that the new financing model will arrive during the next four years because the priority for this legislature was to recover a country, namely Spain, which was on the very edge of bankruptcy and about to be bailed out. He added that the economic recovery will allow the regional governments to receive a further 10 billion euros next year.

Furthermore, he explained that the new regional financing model will be agreed at the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council, and stressed that Catalonia currently receives the financing granted by the model that was agreed in 2009 and approved by all regional governments. In this regard, Mariano Rajoy recalled that his party opposed that model.

The President of the Government stressed that Spain can now enjoy a period of economic growth and job creation "such as never before". In fact, Spain is the leading European country in terms of job creation. "The only enemy of this situation and ongoing job creation and economic growth is political instability", he said.

Other current affairs

Pool MoncloaAs regards the refugee crisis in the EU, Mariano Rajoy opposes the measures implemented by the Government of Hungary. "We are talking about human beings, who are the main priority", he said. In this regard, he defended the right to asylum because "it forms part of the very DNA of European civilisation".

As regards the war in Syria, he said that the international community must clearly establish their objectives and whom they wish to support. Naturally, he added, "we are all opposed to DAESH".

Finally, the President of the Government stressed that the ruling handed down by the Constitutional Court on homosexual marriage was "a cautious and reasonable decision". As regards the abortion reform, he expressed his interest in seeking the broadest possible consensus in society because "winning by a majority is sometimes not always the most reasonable outcome".