Mariano Rajoy, the leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP), launched an attack on the actions of the Catalan regional government in a speech to the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, claiming “what is not legal is not democratic”.
Mr Rajoy said: “What is not legal is not democratic. The referendum of October 1 has failed completely. No supposed result can legitimise any political decision and, much less, the independence of Catalonia.
“The referendum lacked any democratic guarantee. The referendum lacked the principles of transparency, neutrality and veracity of the result.
“There is no single country in the world that has taken the referendum seriously.”
He also denied accusations that he was unwilling to hold talks over the question of Catalan independence.
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Mr Rajoy said: “For me, there has always been a willingness for dialogue.”
He continued: “A representative democracy is inseparable from respect for the very framework that makes it possible. It is a falsehood the mantra that voting is democratic. Voting outside the democratic rules is not.
“Catalunya has never enjoyed more liberties, autonomy and recognition.
“Independence is about to put an end to the best time in Catalan history.
“Independence will not be recognised by Europe and now everyone knows that it will have serious consequences.”
Mr Rajoy also appeared to set out the terms that he would accept for any possible negotiation with the Catalan government.
He said: “It is not possible to accept, under the guise of dialogue, the imposition of views that become impossible to accept.