SPAIN IN CRISIS: Catalonia vows to hold independence referendum against PM's wishes

Pro-separatist parties, which control the regional
assembly in Catalonia, are planning to hold an
independence referendum on October 1.
They have already outlined the legal framework for the
transition to an independent republic if voters support
their bid to split from Spain.
The row over the proposed vote, which is opposed by
Spain 's central government, briefly faded after this
month's ISIS attacks in the region.
Catalonia demands
£1.5billion from
Spain ahead of
independence vote
Barcelona terror:
Two suspects held
without bail after
court hearing
RELATED ARTICLES
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative
government in Madrid has vowed to strike down any
further secessionist challenges in court.
Spain's Constitutional Court has already halted
attempts to fast-track other preparations for the
controversial referendum.
And experts say the court will be asked to invalidate
the framework for independence once it is approved by
Catalonia's regional assembly.
Catalonia wants to hold an independence referendum
on October 1
Spanish Royal State Visit in
pictures
Mon, July 17, 2017
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain on three-
day state visit to the UK
PLAY
Spanish King Felipe VI (L) and Spanish Queen
Letizia smile as they leave after a visit to the
Weston Library in Oxford, west of London [AFP/
Getty Images]
AFP/GETTY IMAGES 1 of 46
The
war of
words
between Catalonia and the central government has
escalated in recent days.
Mr Rajoy yesterday called on those in favour of
breaking away from Spain to give up their plans.
Days earlier, Catalonia's leader accused the central
government of deliberately underfunding the region's
security forces.
Carles Puigdemont said: "We asked them not to play
politics with security. Unfortunately, the Spanish
government had other priorities."
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy has vowed to block the
proposed vote
Opinion polls have long shown that most people in
Catalonia, which has its own language and culture,
favour holding an independence vote.
But recent surveys have shown enthusiasm for
secession dipping and that fewer than half of Catalans
actually support breaking away.
It is not yet clear if Catalonia would be allowed to
rejoin the European Union if the wealthy region
becomes an independent state.
Most people in Catalonia favour holding an
independence vote
Mr Puigdemont has said that if the 'no' vote wins in
October, the regional government will declare
independence within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, a 'no' vote would prompt an early region
election, he said.
The region's previous non-binding poll in 2014, which
was ruled illegal by Madrid, saw 80 per cent in favor of
full secession.
Under Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, Madrid
can directly intervene in the running of Catalonia and
force it to drop the vote.

Tweet