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Catalonia to hold referendum on independence from Spain in October Catalonia to hold referendum on independence from Spain in October
(35 minutes later)
Catalonia will hold an independence referendum on 1 October, the regional government has said. Catalonia's regional government has announced plans to hold an independence referendum on 1 October.
The Spanish government responded by saying it will block any attempt to further an independence process in the region. Regional president Carles Puigdemont said Catalans will be asked to answer yes or no to a single question: "Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?" 
The Spanish government responded by saying it will block any attempt to split the region from the rest of the country.
Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, has not commented on today's announcement but has previously said he would not recognise the vote as he considers it to be unconstitutional.Spain’s Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, has not commented on today's announcement but has previously said he would not recognise the vote as he considers it to be unconstitutional.
Catalonia, whose capital is Barcelona, has its own language and a long tradition of seeking separation from the rest of Spain.Catalonia, whose capital is Barcelona, has its own language and a long tradition of seeking separation from the rest of Spain.
​Carles Puigdemont, president of the government of Catalonia, said voters would be asked whether they wanted the north-east region “to become an independent state in the form of a republic”. The Spanish government's spokesman, Inigo Mendez de Vigo, said after a Cabinet meeting on Friday morning: "That referendum will not take place because it is illegal.
But the Spanish government's spokesman, Inigo Mendez de Vigo, said: "That referendum will not take place because it is illegal.
"We are facing an increasingly radical strategy that has less and less support."We are facing an increasingly radical strategy that has less and less support.
"Any move that evolves from an announcement to a fact will be appealed by the government.""Any move that evolves from an announcement to a fact will be appealed by the government."
Catalan voters were last asked for their views on independence in an informal ballot in 2014.Catalan voters were last asked for their views on independence in an informal ballot in 2014.
Then, 80.72 per cent - or around two million people - said they backed separation. However, turnout was low and the result was non-binding. Then, 80.72 per cent - or around two million people - said they backed separation. However, turnout was low and the result was non-binding. 
That vote was organised by volunteers rather than government officials to get around court restrictions.That vote was organised by volunteers rather than government officials to get around court restrictions.
Under Article 155 of Spain's constitution, Madrid can force the regional government to drop the vote.Under Article 155 of Spain's constitution, Madrid can force the regional government to drop the vote.
The central government has previously blocked secessionist challenges through appeals to Spain's Constitutional Court.The central government has previously blocked secessionist challenges through appeals to Spain's Constitutional Court.