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Catalonia leader threatens to draw EU into independence row with Spain | Catalonia leader threatens to draw EU into independence row with Spain |
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Catalonia in north-east Spain will issue a challenge to the EU as regional leader Artur Mas prepares to ask voters to declare whether they want an independent state within the EU. | Catalonia in north-east Spain will issue a challenge to the EU as regional leader Artur Mas prepares to ask voters to declare whether they want an independent state within the EU. |
A yes vote in the referendum would not just create a constitutional crisis for Spain, which has no mechanism for allowing the independence of one of its regions, but would also issue a clear challenge to the EU. | |
The EU has no system for the break up of a member state, and a new entity could have future membership blocked by just one member country. | The EU has no system for the break up of a member state, and a new entity could have future membership blocked by just one member country. |
Mas said he planned to ask the question, including the reference to the EU, during a four-year term that starts after regional elections on 25 November – even though Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has threatened to block a referendum. | |
The Catalan referendum would take place around the time of a similar vote in Scotland in 2014 and could be followed by an independence vote in the Basque country, where nationalists and separatists are expected to win elections this weekend. | The Catalan referendum would take place around the time of a similar vote in Scotland in 2014 and could be followed by an independence vote in the Basque country, where nationalists and separatists are expected to win elections this weekend. |
Basque nationalists have long pursued the dream of joining the EU as a separate state on an equal footing with Spain. | Basque nationalists have long pursued the dream of joining the EU as a separate state on an equal footing with Spain. |
"Do you want Catalonia to become a new state within the European Union?" is Mas's preferred wording for the referendum. | "Do you want Catalonia to become a new state within the European Union?" is Mas's preferred wording for the referendum. |
He told the La Vanguardia newspaper that a definitive question would be agreed on by the Catalan parliament, where he can expect to renew his majority on 25 November. | He told the La Vanguardia newspaper that a definitive question would be agreed on by the Catalan parliament, where he can expect to renew his majority on 25 November. |
Mas said he would like to follow the Scottish example and negotiate a referendum with central government. But Rajoy's conservative People's party (PP) government has vowed to use Spain's constitutional court to declare any referendum illegal. | Mas said he would like to follow the Scottish example and negotiate a referendum with central government. But Rajoy's conservative People's party (PP) government has vowed to use Spain's constitutional court to declare any referendum illegal. |
"There are legal instruments available to stop this and there is a government prepared to use them," the deputy prime minister, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, said recently. | "There are legal instruments available to stop this and there is a government prepared to use them," the deputy prime minister, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, said recently. |
The justice minister on Monday threatened action against Mas were he to ignore the constitutional court. "If a person commits an illegal act … then that person will have take responsibility for their actions," Albereto Ruiz-Gallardón said. | The justice minister on Monday threatened action against Mas were he to ignore the constitutional court. "If a person commits an illegal act … then that person will have take responsibility for their actions," Albereto Ruiz-Gallardón said. |
But Mas appears determined to push ahead with a referendum question that could draw the EU into a confrontation between the Catalans and the governments of member states. | But Mas appears determined to push ahead with a referendum question that could draw the EU into a confrontation between the Catalans and the governments of member states. |
On Monday he threatened to "internationalise the conflict" if Rajoy blocked the referendum. | |
"In that case we will have to go to Brussels to explain that they don't even let us consult with the people," he told the regional public television channel TV3. | "In that case we will have to go to Brussels to explain that they don't even let us consult with the people," he told the regional public television channel TV3. |
Mas said David Cameron's decision to allow Scotland to hold a referendum – though the Scottish question will not mention the EU – should be an example to Rajoy. | Mas said David Cameron's decision to allow Scotland to hold a referendum – though the Scottish question will not mention the EU – should be an example to Rajoy. |
"While the British negotiate, the Spanish state simply threatens," he told La Vanguardia. | "While the British negotiate, the Spanish state simply threatens," he told La Vanguardia. |
Polls show his Convergence and Union coalition close to obtaining an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament. The separatist Catalan Republic Left party (ERC), which would be a natural ally in the push for independence, is also set to increase its vote. | Polls show his Convergence and Union coalition close to obtaining an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament. The separatist Catalan Republic Left party (ERC), which would be a natural ally in the push for independence, is also set to increase its vote. |
Spain's two biggest parties – the PP and the socialists PSOE – are expected to lose seats in next month's election, reducing their representation in the Catalan parliament to less than 40%. | Spain's two biggest parties – the PP and the socialists PSOE – are expected to lose seats in next month's election, reducing their representation in the Catalan parliament to less than 40%. |
Polls show support for independence in Catalonia has climbed to more than 50% | Polls show support for independence in Catalonia has climbed to more than 50% |