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Spain seeks court ban on Catalonia independence vote Spain seeks court ban on Catalonia independence vote
(35 minutes later)
Spain's government has asked the country's constitutional court to declare Catalonia's planned independence referendum illegal.Spain's government has asked the country's constitutional court to declare Catalonia's planned independence referendum illegal.
PM Mariano Rajoy told reporters that the vote was not "compatible with the Spanish constitution".PM Mariano Rajoy told reporters that the vote was not "compatible with the Spanish constitution".
The head of the north-eastern Spanish region signed a decree on Saturday calling for a vote on 9 November.The head of the north-eastern Spanish region signed a decree on Saturday calling for a vote on 9 November.
Hundreds of thousands of Catalans joined a protest in Barcelona recently, calling for their right to vote.Hundreds of thousands of Catalans joined a protest in Barcelona recently, calling for their right to vote.
Unhappy at Spain's refusal to give Catalans more powers, protesters have been energised by Scotland's recent independence referendum, and many also waved the Scottish flag.Unhappy at Spain's refusal to give Catalans more powers, protesters have been energised by Scotland's recent independence referendum, and many also waved the Scottish flag.
On Monday, Mr Rajoy said "Nobody and nothing will be allowed to break up Spain."On Monday, Mr Rajoy said "Nobody and nothing will be allowed to break up Spain."
He was speaking in a televised statement to the nation after holding an emergency cabinet meeting.He was speaking in a televised statement to the nation after holding an emergency cabinet meeting.
Local lawsLocal laws
Catalonia is one of Spain's richest and most highly industrialised regions, and one of its most independent-minded. Catalonia's 7.5 million inhabitants make up approximately 16 % of the population of Spain. Yet it is one of Spain's richest and most highly industrialised regions, as well as one of its most independent-minded.
Spain's deepening economic crisis has seen a surge in support for separation. Spain's deepening economic crisis, though, has seen a surge in support for separation.
Hours after Mr Mas signed the decree on Saturday, the turnout marking a key annual day of celebration in Barcelona was substantial, with tens of thousands of people using the occasion to rally for the right to hold a referendum on independence.Hours after Mr Mas signed the decree on Saturday, the turnout marking a key annual day of celebration in Barcelona was substantial, with tens of thousands of people using the occasion to rally for the right to hold a referendum on independence.
"La Diada", as the 300th anniversary of the end of the city's siege is known locally, has become a show of force for the Catalan independence movement."La Diada", as the 300th anniversary of the end of the city's siege is known locally, has become a show of force for the Catalan independence movement.
Mr Mas says he can use local laws to hold the vote, even though the central government says its blessing is required. On 19 September, the regional Catalan parliament voted by 106 to 28 in favour of granting Catalonia's president the power to hold a referendum, known locally as a "consultation".
On 19 September, regional Catalonian lawmakers voted by a margin of 106 to 28 in favour of authorising the referendum, known locally as a "consultation". Mr Mas, who was re-elected in December 2012, says he can use local laws to hold the vote, even though the central government says its blessing is required.
"I can't pretend that this will be easy, but it doesn't work just coming out to protest once a year," Mr Mas said on Catalan television at the weekend.
"The future is something you conquer, not a gift, and we have to earn that," he added.
A recent poll for Spain's El Pais newspaper showed that 45% of Catalans were in favour of suspending the referendum if Spain's Constitutional Court declared it illegal.
Only 23% would like the referendum to go ahead regardless, the survey suggested.
Artur Mas has only recently become a supporter of full independence. Since 2007, he has spearheaded a push to revitalise Catalan nationalism known as the Refoundation of Catalanism.