Madrid - Spain's ruling People's Party (PP) introduced a draft proposal for constitutional reforms on Tuesday in an attempt to prevent a Catalan independence bid.
The reforms would give constitutional judges new powers to punish politicians and potentially remove them from office if they are suspected of flouting national law.
The move is an attempt to ensure that "no one calls for the independence of Catalonia", PP politician Xavier García Albiol said.
Separatist parties in Catalonia have formed an alliance ahead of regional elections on September 27. If they are successful, they plan on declaring Catalonia's split from the rest of Spain.
Catalan government spokesperson Neus Munté described the PP's proposed reforms as "unconstitutional" and an "election campaign manoeuvre".
