On Thursday Spain’s parliament approved measures that permit the Constitutional Court to fine or suspend authorities that fail to carry out its sentences. This was reportedly done to address any officials in Catalonia that seek to ignore the orders from earlier this year finding that a referendum on independence is unconstitutional.
The move comes shortly after secessionist parties in Catalonia secured a majority in local parliament on Sunday.
The new powers introduced by the measures include the court being able to force the resignation of officials and civil servants, including politicians. The Ccurt will also be able to issue fines of up to 30,000 euros against officials.
One member of pro-independence party CDC said it was designed to specifically target the head of the Catalan regional government, Artur Mas, telling the lower house in Spain,“It’s personal – they want to wipe out Mas politically and personally.”