CATALONIA -- BBC News - Catalonia president signs independence referendum decree
he president of the Spanish region of Catalonia has signed a decree calling for a referendum on independence.
Artur Mas wants Catalonia to hold a Scottish-style vote on 9
November, but does not have the backing of the central government in
Madrid.
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy has said he will block any referendum.
Catalonia, which includes Barcelona, is one of Spain's
richest and most highly industrialised regions, and also one of the most
independent-minded.
On 19 September Catalonian lawmakers voted by a margin of 106
to 28 in favour of authorising the referendum, known locally as a
"consultation".
Mr Rajoy and the Spanish government believe any vote would be illegal.
The prime minister is expected to take action at a special
cabinet meeting early next week, and is likely to take the dispute to
the country's Constitutional Court.
The campaign for an independence vote on 9 November has popular support
