Catalonia CHAOS in Strasbourg as Spanish MEP rages at Catalan flags in EU Parliament
CATALONIA independence supporters infuriated a Spanish MEP in the European Parliament by insisting on waving the region’s flag in a defiant protest amid increasing uncertainty over the future of Spain.
Spanish MEP is furious as Catalan flag is present in Parliament
Catalan MEPs defied furious demands to stop waving the flag as they stood in parliament in Strasbourg and took photos.
A panicked Brussels warned Catalonia on Thursday it risks “abandoning the European Union” by splitting from Spain.
Spanish MEP Carlos Iturgaiz, a member of the European People’s Party group, demanded the independence backers “remove the flag of the coup”.
He said: “I’m asking you to remove the flag of the coup, shown by people against a member state of the EU which is Spain.”
A Spanish MEP reacted furiously to Catalonia flag-waving in the EU Parliament
I’m asking you to remove the flag of the coup, shown by people against a member state of the EU which is Spain
After this did not work, he signalled desperately to the European Parliament president Antonio Tajani to intervene.
Mr Tajani said: “Ok, you’ve shown the flag. Now I’m asking you to take your seats we have a serious debate.”
Catalan MEP Ramon Tremosa, from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, who supports the region’s independence from Spain, handed out roses to fellow MEPs and Mr Tajani at the beginning of the session.
The EU is scrambling to avoid a Catalexit, which would see the bloc disintegrate further after an already-chaotic 18 months.
More than two million Catalan voters turned out for the referendum which left more than 500 people injured in a series of clashes with Spanish police.
But the EU, as well as Spain’s central government, has condemned the vote as illegal and unconstitutional and are refusing to acknowledge the result.
In a last-ditch attempt to bring Catalonia back under control EU officials have warned quitting Spain would also mean quitting the bloc.