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Catalonia to hold referendum on independence from Spain in October | Catalonia to hold referendum on independence from Spain in October |
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Catalonia's regional government has announced plans to hold an independence referendum on 1 October. | |
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. |
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. | |
"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. |