Spain king urges ‘respect for law’ in Catalonia

BARCELONA: Spanish King Felipe VI warned Catalonia on Thursday to obey the law in its drive for autonomy, as tension mounted over Catalan leaders’ campaign to break away from Spain.
The head of state added his voice to warnings after Spain’s conservative prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, sharpened his tone against Catalan nationalists.
“Public authorities are subject to the rule of law, and it is by respecting it that they guarantee the orderly functioning of the state,” the king said.
“Respect for the law is the source of legitimacy and an unavoidable requirement for living together democratically in peace and freedom.”
He did not refer to Catalonia or independence in his remarks, although they were made in an address in Barcelona where Catalonia’s pro-independence regional president, Artur Mas. was present.
Political leaders in Catalonia, a rich northeastern region of Spain, have formed an alliance to campaign for independence in a regional election in September.
Rajoy is due to fight for re-election in national polls around November.