Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy
© EFESpanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy praised the Constitutional Court's decision and said Catalonian independence will never happen
Catalonia's regional government again defied the government in Madrid and dismissed the Spanish Constitutional Court decision to block the secessionist movement, saying that their conviction to gain independence remains unchanged.

"The content of this declaration, approved by an absolute majority, is to remain unchanged no matter how many sentences the Spanish Constitutional Court issues," said Catalonian government spokeswoman Neus Munte.

Earlier in the day, Spain's Constitutional Court blocked the Catalan secession drive, increasing tensions between the regional government and Madrid, while adding to political uncertainty in the country ahead of the Dec. 20 general elections.

The Constitutional Court took an unusually quick decision striking down the Catalan regional assembly resolution made in September, when they set out a plan to establish a republic within 18 months.

The Catalan assembly "cannot set itself up as a source of legal and political legitimacy to the point of assuming the authority to violate the constitutional order," the court said.

The ruling by the court was on an appeal by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy who has said the separation of Catalonia will never happen.

Immediately after the ruling, Rajoy said, "The immense majority of Spaniards who believe in Spain, national sovereignty and the equality of Spaniards will be very pleased."

The Spanish parliament in October gave the Constitutional Court powers to fine or even suspend officials who do not abide by their rulings, increasing their legal authority to deal with any Catalan independence movement.

But, all that may be complicated by the national elections, because while Rajoy is favorite to win, his People's Party will likely fall short of the majority it would require to govern alone.