This Europe: Constitutional clash sours party mood

A top Spanish jurist has outraged regional sensitivities by criticising a pillar of the constitution just as that symbol of post-Franco democracy celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Spain's constitution divides 17 fractious regions into two tiers, with Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia recognised as "historic nationalities" with their own language and special rights. The rest are "autonomous regions or communities" with a lesser claim to separate identity.

That distinction was "a grave error, a fallacy" and should not have been made, says Manuel Jimenez de Parga, president of the Constitutional Court, the man entrusted with the task of impartially upholding the constitution. His remarks threaten to destabilise the delicate unity of Spain's regions.

Many attribute Spain's peaceful transition to democracy to a constitutional pragmatism that allocated each region just enough autonomy to stay loyal to Madrid. Others say the constitution grants too much autonomy, or not enough, and is therefore flawed, albeit functional.

But Mr Jimenez de Parga says: "In the year 1000, when Andalucia had dozens of fountains that spouted water with different flavours and scents, in some zones of the so-called historic communities, people didn't even know what it was to wash at weekends."

Catalonia's regional president, Artur Mas, urged Mr Jimenez de Parga to quit, and announced Catalonia would not join the 25th birthday jamboree. Mr Jimenez de Parga says he meant no offence. But he insists: "Some regions should not be reduced to playing second fiddle."

Mr Jimenez de Parga is from Andalucia.