Pro-Spain Catalan parties file court complaints over regional parliament independence motion

A journalist takes notes as she holds a copy of an appeal filled by Catalan branch of Spain's Citizens party at Spain's Constitutional Court in Madrid, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015. Three anti-independence parties filed complaints Wednesday before Spain's Constitutional Court against moves by the regional parliament of Catalonia to announce the formal start of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (The Associated Press)

Catalan branches of Spain's ruling conservative Popular Party, Xavier Albiol, Citizens party, Ines Arrimadas, and Socialist party, Miquel Iceta, backs to camera from left, pose for the media after filling complaints at Spain's Constitutional Court in Madrid, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015. Three anti-independence parties filed complaints Wednesday before Spain's Constitutional Court against moves by the regional parliament of Catalonia to announce the formal start of independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (The Associated Press)

MADRID – Three pro-Spain political parties have filed complaints at the Constitutional Court over moves by Catalonia's regional parliament to announce the formal start of secession from Spain.

Catalan branches of Spain*s ruling conservative Popular Party, and the Socialist and Citizens parties, filed the appeals Wednesday.

The protest came after secessionist parties used their majority in the Catalan parliament to begin procedures for a secession announcement next week.

The motion was pushed by the "Together for Yes" pro-independence alliance, which won 62 seats in Catalonia's 135-member regional parliament in September elections, along with the radical leftist CUP party that won 10 seats. The two are in talks to form a new regional government.

The Spanish government rules out any possibility of Catalan independence and intends to challenge the proposal.