Spain's Rajoy visits Catalonia after imposing direct rule

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is visiting Catalonia for the first time since the central government imposed direct rule over the region in response to its secession bid. Rajoy travelled to Barcelona to campaign ahead of December's regional elections and praised efforts to honour Spanish law in what he called "difficult times".

His visit came the morning after hundreds of thousands of Catalans took to the streets in a show of solidarity for eight former ministers jailed on charges of rebellion and corruption, two imprisoned civil society leaders and a government in exile in Belgium.

Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports from Barcelona.

[nosterbebot]

Bent the law? These Catalans are crazy! Have they forgotten that what they did, i.e., voting in an illegal referendum is against the fundamental law of the Spanish kingdom? If their leaders would have been brave enough, how on Earth did some went to Belgium while others voluntarily submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Spain.. Truly, the establishment of the republic is only a mockery!

[soundadapter]

thumbs up
I wish you a nice Sunday evening
best regards Frank

[adzark]

Well, democracy seems to be enforced only in other parts of the world. Surely, should the situation happened in other parts of the world, those countries that call themselves 'the keepers of democracy' would immediately condemn the Spanish government for not listening to Catalonian people. Yet, instead the world is silent and so are the international activists who often voiced themselves as the fighters for human rights. What a shame!

[fastnbulbouss]

He ain't taking a stroll on the ramblas. He stays inside, in undisclosed locations, and only appears in public under heavy guard. He is a coward, and a thief.

[tellingfoxtales]

That tyrant should be set fire to in the streets.

[jockguy]

HANG THE SPANISH PM AND THE ROYALTY... LET THEIR BLOOD SPILL ON YOUR PARLIMANET AS A REMINDER TO ALL OTHER CORPORATE CRIMINAL MAGGOTS WHO STIFLE DEMOCRACY!  TIME FOR NWO AND THE ELITIST MAGGOTS LIKE THE SPANISH PM AND ITS MINIONS TO BE TRIALED AND EXECUTED FOR THEIR CRIMES!