This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/514060-spain-catalonia-independence-election/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Spanish court says Catalan elections must go ahead, firing up independence debate as Spain reels from Covid-19 Spanish court says Catalan elections must go ahead, firing up independence debate as Spain reels from Covid-19
(about 1 month later)
A Spanish court ruled on Friday that postponed regional elections in Catalonia must go ahead next month. The ruling puts the restive province's independence drive back on the national agenda in a nation preoccupied with Covid.A Spanish court ruled on Friday that postponed regional elections in Catalonia must go ahead next month. The ruling puts the restive province's independence drive back on the national agenda in a nation preoccupied with Covid.
The Catalan government – a coalition of two pro-independence parties – wanted to postpone the vote until May 30 due to the ongoing pandemic, but a Barcelona court decision annulled the change of date.The Catalan government – a coalition of two pro-independence parties – wanted to postpone the vote until May 30 due to the ongoing pandemic, but a Barcelona court decision annulled the change of date.
The province has previously held two plebiscites on independence, in 2014 and 2017. The polls, which were each declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court and largely ignored by federalists, returned majorities in favor of separation.The province has previously held two plebiscites on independence, in 2014 and 2017. The polls, which were each declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court and largely ignored by federalists, returned majorities in favor of separation.
The most recent plebiscite sparked huge protests as riot police were dispatched to the region to prevent people casting their votes. It also led to the eventual jailing by Spain's supreme court of some separatist leaders for sedition, while others sought exile in Belgium.The most recent plebiscite sparked huge protests as riot police were dispatched to the region to prevent people casting their votes. It also led to the eventual jailing by Spain's supreme court of some separatist leaders for sedition, while others sought exile in Belgium.
On Tuesday, Spain's federal health minister Salvador Illa quit his position to run as the Socialists' lead candidate in the province. The party is seeking to capitalize on his popularity as opinion polls indicate he could win the Socialists between 30 and 35 seats. In the last Catalan elections, the Socialists won just 17 seats.On Tuesday, Spain's federal health minister Salvador Illa quit his position to run as the Socialists' lead candidate in the province. The party is seeking to capitalize on his popularity as opinion polls indicate he could win the Socialists between 30 and 35 seats. In the last Catalan elections, the Socialists won just 17 seats.
The polls also indicate a close fight between pro- and anti-independence parties.The polls also indicate a close fight between pro- and anti-independence parties.
If you like this story, share it with a friend!If you like this story, share it with a friend!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.