Spanish PM rejects Scotland's attempt to retain EU membership
Mariano Rajoy speaks to press in Brussels on Wednesday and denies Scotland a right to participate in negotiations
- Spanish government faces an independence movement from the wealthy north-eastern province of Catalonia
- Madrid officials worried any sign of weakness from Europe may lead to further secessions
Acting Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has rejected claims from Scotalnd that they should be allowed to remain in the European Union, during a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday.
Mr. Rajoy said that there could not be any separate negotiations between Brussels and Edinburgh as the United Kingdom as a whole voted to leave the bloc, including the Scots.
“If the United Kingdom leaves [the EU], so does Scotland,” the acting PM said to reporters ahead of the Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon's arrival for talks with EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
“If the United Kingdom leaves [the EU], so does Scotland" Mariano Rajoy
“Scotland has no competences to negotiate with the EU. The Spanish government rejects any negotiation with anyone other than the United Kingdom”, said Mr Rajoy.
The Madrid government faces a strong independence movement from the wealthy region of Catalonia
The Madrid government faces a strong independence movement from the wealthy region of Catalonia, in the midst of internal political problems of trying to form a new government after two successive stalemate elections.
Last September a pro-secession government was catapulted into power in the north-eastern region of Spain and has made plans to start their independence, but Madrid insists that a referendum to that effect would not be permitted by the constitution of the country.
Officials in Madrid worry that any signal of encouragement towards Scotland’s independence-minded government could trigger a further push by Catalans to secede.
