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| Catalan independence movement seeks boost with mass protest | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Tens of thousands of Catalans are expected to protest on Sunday to demand their region speed up its drive to break away from Spain and form its own country. | Tens of thousands of Catalans are expected to protest on Sunday to demand their region speed up its drive to break away from Spain and form its own country. |
| After winning a clear majority in Catalonia’s regional parliament last year, secessionist parties approved a plan to achieve independence by mid-2017 but have since become divided by ideological differences and little progress has been made. | After winning a clear majority in Catalonia’s regional parliament last year, secessionist parties approved a plan to achieve independence by mid-2017 but have since become divided by ideological differences and little progress has been made. |
| Separatists hope people will come out en masse in various towns and cities of the wealthy, northeastern region on 11 September when it marks its national day. | Separatists hope people will come out en masse in various towns and cities of the wealthy, northeastern region on 11 September when it marks its national day. |
| “I encourage you to fill the streets,” regional president Carles Puigdemont said in a video message. | “I encourage you to fill the streets,” regional president Carles Puigdemont said in a video message. |
| “We have to show that we are ready to finish this process that will convert Catalonia into an independent state,” he added. | “We have to show that we are ready to finish this process that will convert Catalonia into an independent state,” he added. |
| His government is walking a tightrope after the pro-independence coalition ruling Catalonia broke down in June as its most radical component – the tiny, anti-capitalist CUP party – refused to back the proposed budget for 2016. | His government is walking a tightrope after the pro-independence coalition ruling Catalonia broke down in June as its most radical component – the tiny, anti-capitalist CUP party – refused to back the proposed budget for 2016. |
| Without the CUP and its 10 parliamentary seats, Puigdemont has been reduced to running a minority government with just 62 seats in the 135-seat Catalan regional assembly. | Without the CUP and its 10 parliamentary seats, Puigdemont has been reduced to running a minority government with just 62 seats in the 135-seat Catalan regional assembly. |
| As a result, he faces a confidence vote in the parliament on 28 September. | As a result, he faces a confidence vote in the parliament on 28 September. |
| While the CUP has said it will once again support him, there are still deep divisions over how to put in place an independence plan that acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy has warned is a “hugely serious threat” to Spain. | While the CUP has said it will once again support him, there are still deep divisions over how to put in place an independence plan that acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy has warned is a “hugely serious threat” to Spain. |
| Since 2012, major demonstrations in favour of independence have been held in Catalonia every year on its national day, or Diada. | Since 2012, major demonstrations in favour of independence have been held in Catalonia every year on its national day, or Diada. |
| In 2013, hundreds of thousands held hands in a 400km human chain across the region while in 2014 demonstrators formed a giant V for victory in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. | In 2013, hundreds of thousands held hands in a 400km human chain across the region while in 2014 demonstrators formed a giant V for victory in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. |
| This year demonstrators will be dispersed in five different towns and cities to march under the slogan: “Ready. Onwards Catalan Republic.” | This year demonstrators will be dispersed in five different towns and cities to march under the slogan: “Ready. Onwards Catalan Republic.” |
| Organisers say the goal is to show the independence movement is spread across Catalonia, a region of 7.5 million people with its own language and customs. | Organisers say the goal is to show the independence movement is spread across Catalonia, a region of 7.5 million people with its own language and customs. |
| But opponents of independence argue organisers are dispersing the annual protest this year to try to mask the fact that turnout will be lower than before. | But opponents of independence argue organisers are dispersing the annual protest this year to try to mask the fact that turnout will be lower than before. |
| “This protest will serve to show that independence has less support,” said Ines Arrimadas, the leader of the main opposition party in Catalonia, the centrist and anti-independence Ciudadanos. | “This protest will serve to show that independence has less support,” said Ines Arrimadas, the leader of the main opposition party in Catalonia, the centrist and anti-independence Ciudadanos. |
| Jordi Cuixart, the president of Omnium Cultural, which promotes Catalan culture and is one of the organisers of the protests, said the pro-independence movement had mobilised hundreds of thousands of people over the past five years. “It’s very solid,” he said. | Jordi Cuixart, the president of Omnium Cultural, which promotes Catalan culture and is one of the organisers of the protests, said the pro-independence movement had mobilised hundreds of thousands of people over the past five years. “It’s very solid,” he said. |
| So far more than 300,000 people have signed up to take part , compared to the 485,000 who registered last year. | So far more than 300,000 people have signed up to take part , compared to the 485,000 who registered last year. |
| The protest in 2015 was held just before a regional election on 27 September which was billed by the then head of the Catalan government, Artur Mas, as a proxy referendum on independence. | The protest in 2015 was held just before a regional election on 27 September which was billed by the then head of the Catalan government, Artur Mas, as a proxy referendum on independence. |
| His “Together for Yes” coalition won 62 seats which when combined with the CUP’s 10 seats gave pro-independence parties an absolute majority in the assembly to pursue their secessionist plans. | His “Together for Yes” coalition won 62 seats which when combined with the CUP’s 10 seats gave pro-independence parties an absolute majority in the assembly to pursue their secessionist plans. |
| But in January, Mas had to cede his place to satisfy the CUP, which takes a more hardline approach to independence. | But in January, Mas had to cede his place to satisfy the CUP, which takes a more hardline approach to independence. |
| It, for instance, wants to hold an independence referendum even if it is banned by the central government. | It, for instance, wants to hold an independence referendum even if it is banned by the central government. |
| “These disagreements have generated moments of anguish and anger,” said Jordi Sanchez, the president of the Catalan National Assembly, a pro-independence organisation which is co-organising the protest. “But at the moment of truth people will not disappoint.” | “These disagreements have generated moments of anguish and anger,” said Jordi Sanchez, the president of the Catalan National Assembly, a pro-independence organisation which is co-organising the protest. “But at the moment of truth people will not disappoint.” |
| Catalonia, which accounts for nearly a fifth of Spain’s economic output, has long sought more autonomy. | Catalonia, which accounts for nearly a fifth of Spain’s economic output, has long sought more autonomy. |
| Spain’s recent economic downturn exacerbated the situation, leaving many resenting the amount of taxes they pay to the central government in Madrid to subsidise poorer regions. | Spain’s recent economic downturn exacerbated the situation, leaving many resenting the amount of taxes they pay to the central government in Madrid to subsidise poorer regions. |