Catalonia’s referendum lacked democratic legitimacy

The Catalans’ decision to declare independence showed contempt for democratic norms, writes Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt.

Ihave always been a profound admirer of Spanish democracy, but especially since February 23, 1981. On that dramatic day, Colonel Antonio Tejero attempted a coup d’état against the young democratic regime.

In his acclaimed book Anatomía de un Instante (The Anatomy of a Moment), Javier Cercas describes how, under the threat of Tejero’s pistol, three Spanish political leaders sat upright in their seats, refusing to hide under their benches.