MADRID (Sputnik) – Pro-independence leaders declared last month’s vote a mandate on their decision to kick-start a vote on Catalan secession from Spain.
"Artur Mas…is not at all the same thing as the People’s Party of Catalonia. There are those in Catalonia who do not support the idea of separation," Rajoy told the TVE broadcaster late Monday.
Rajoy said he rejected the idea of "people living in only part of Spain defining what is Spain" and called for resolving disputes within the legal framework.
"Everyone must abide by the law. You, me, anyone."
The Parliament of Catalonia formed after the September 27 regional vote convened in its first session on Monday.
The pro-independence Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) coalition and their allies from the radical left-wing Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) party secured 72 seats in the 135-member Catalan parliament. The People’s Party of Catalonia, affiliated with the Spanish People’s Party, holds 11 seats in the regional unicameral legislature.
