Last week, two leading pro-independence movements, Republican Left of Catalonia, headed by Oriol Junqueras, and Democratic Convergence of Catalonia, led by Artur Mas, as well as a number of other parties and civil organizations, signed a roadmap for the region's independence process, which outlines the path they want to take if they win the September 27 elections.
Rajoy added that September’s regional elections "do not have plebiscitary character" and he will turn to the Constitutional Court of Spain if Catalonia unilaterally proclaims independence.
On Tuesday, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy criticized the roadmap, stating that no Spanish government will ever recognize a vote to break up the country.
Despite central government protests, Catalonia went ahead with an informal independence vote late last year.
On November 9, 2014, more than 80 percent of Catalans voted for independence. Following the referendum, Catalan nationalists called snap regional elections to be held September 27, 2015, intending to capitalize on a groundswell of popular support for independence from Madrid.
