European leaders side with Spain amid brewing Catalonia tensions

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Amid the spiraling tensions prompted by the Catalan parliament's unilateral declaration of independence, leaders across Europe sided with Madrid on Friday.

European Council President Donald Tusk

"For EU nothing changes. Spain remains our only interlocutor," European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted. "I hope the Spanish government favors force of argument, not argument of force."

Pro-unity demonstrators gather, the day after the Catalan regional parliament declared independence from Spain, in Madrid, Spain, October 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday stressed "constitutional order" in a speech at the Conference of Presidents of the Outermost Regions in French Guiana.

"The European Union is first and foremost a set based on the rule of law, respect for it. It's true in the French Republic ... This is also true in Spain. The constitutional order is what it is, it must be respected," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron and 

Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

French President Emmanuel Macron, who attended the conference with Juncker, underscored that Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is his only interlocutor in Spain, reiterating France's full support to the Spanish government.

"There is a rule of law in Spain, with constitutional rules. Rajoy wants to enforce them and he has my full support," Macron said.

Pro-unity demonstrators gather, the day after the Catalan regional parliament declared independence from Spain, in Madrid, Spain, October 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo

In a separate statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France "won't recognize the declaration of independence that the Catalan parliament has adopted."

Spokesperson of British Prime Minister Theresa May

A spokesperson of British Prime Minister Theresa May said Britain will not recognize the Catalan parliament's declaration of independence.

"It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. We continue to want to see the rule of law upheld, the Spanish constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved," the spokesperson added.

German government spokesperson Stephen Seibert

German government spokesperson Stephen Seibert tweeted that "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Spain are inviolable." He said that Catalonia's unilateral declaration of independence violates these protected principles.

People celebrate and wave Catalan separatist flags in Sant Jaume square after the Catalan regional parliament declared independence from Spain in Barcelona, Spain, October 27, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Seibert said Germany supports "the clear attitude of the Spanish Prime Minister to ensure and restore the constitutional order." However, he also expressed the hope that "the parties will use all existing opportunities for dialogue and de-escalation."

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Friday that only talks based on the rule of law and within the framework of the Spanish constitution can lead to a solution.

Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the country supports the territorial integrity of Spain.

"We call on all authorities in the country to engage in constructive dialogue, responsibility and respect for the rule of law – to protect the stability, unity and security of citizens," the statement said.

People rally in Madrid, 

urging jailing of Puigdemont

Meanwhile, thousands of people rally in the Plaza de Colon in central Madrid, many waving or wearing Spanish flags and shouting "Prison for Puigdemont."

"Today, we have all come to demonstrate our unity, to proclaim that we will get Catalonia back," one presenter told the crowd, adding that "We won't stop until we see them in jail."

Many also voiced their anger at Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, saying he has been too soft on the region's leaders.

Catalonia's deposed leader Carles Puigdemont has called for “democratic opposition” from supporters on Saturday in response to the Spanish government’s takeover of the region. 

“It's very clear that the best form of defending the gains made up until now is democratic opposition to Article 155,” said Puigdemont in a TV broadcast address.

Puigdemont was referring to the constitutional article that offers Madrid the power to take over any Spanish region, adding he and his team would keep working "to build a free country."