The Spanish government has accused the speaker of the Catalan Parliament, Roger Torrent, of reducing the institution's dignity by acting hastily and without transparency in calling a presidential investiture debate for tomorrow. They warn that they will keep article 155 of the Spanish Constitution in place until there is a Catalan government which takes power "in accordance with the law".
Government sources made the warning and criticised Torrent shortly after his announcement this evening. They say that the decision goes against the general interest of the public, only responding to the political interest of independence supporters wanting to keep their confrontation with the state alive. They emphasised that they have more than demonstrated their ability to defend the rule of law and the dignity of the country's institutions.
Madrid says that there already existed an established calendar for the investiture which has been modified "unilaterally and arbitrarily" for a political goal which is "condemned to failure". They don't, however, want to comment on the consequences Torrent's decision might have on the legal proceedings open against different political leaders.
Similarly, the sources say that the only people responsible for the chance of a Catalan president being banned from holding office by a court, with the serious effects that would have for Catalonia, "are those who are promoting the candidacy of a deputy like Turull with serious legal problems".