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| Catalans vow to hold referendum on independence from Spain | Catalans vow to hold referendum on independence from Spain |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Leaders in Catalonia have agreed to push ahead with a referendum on independence on 9 November, defying legal blocks by the Spanish government. | Leaders in Catalonia have agreed to push ahead with a referendum on independence on 9 November, defying legal blocks by the Spanish government. |
| A regional spokesman said they would press ahead so that "citizens can exercise their right to vote". | A regional spokesman said they would press ahead so that "citizens can exercise their right to vote". |
| Spain's constitutional court said on Monday it would review the legality of the ballot, effectively suspending it. | Spain's constitutional court said on Monday it would review the legality of the ballot, effectively suspending it. |
| Spain says it will go back to the court to seek a ban on the commission set up to supervise the referendum. | Spain says it will go back to the court to seek a ban on the commission set up to supervise the referendum. |
| The commission was set up on Thursday by the leader of Catalonia, Artur Mas. | The commission was set up on Thursday by the leader of Catalonia, Artur Mas. |
| And on Friday, Mr Mas and the representatives of the four parliamentary groups that support self-determination reiterated their intention to press ahead. | And on Friday, Mr Mas and the representatives of the four parliamentary groups that support self-determination reiterated their intention to press ahead. |
| 'Not compatible' | |
| Catalonia's 7.5 million inhabitants make up approximately 16% of the Spanish population. | Catalonia's 7.5 million inhabitants make up approximately 16% of the Spanish population. |
| It is one of Spain's richest and most highly industrialised regions, as well as one of its most independent-minded. | It is one of Spain's richest and most highly industrialised regions, as well as one of its most independent-minded. |
| The Catalan capital of Barcelona is home to some of Spain's biggest companies, which are anxiously watching developments. | |
| Mr Mas signed a decree last Saturday calling for the referendum. | |
| But Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said that the vote was not "compatible with the Spanish constitution". | |
| "Nobody and nothing will be allowed to break up Spain," he said. | |
| Mr Mas insists he can use local laws to hold the vote. | |
| Correspondents say Catalans are unhappy at Spain's refusal to give them more powers and have been energised by Scotland's recent independence referendum. | |
| Many pro-independence activists have been seen waving the Scottish flag alongside the flag of Catalonia. | |
| Spain's deepening economic crisis has also seen a surge in support for separation. |