Catalan separatist leaders vow to unilaterally declare independence from Spain
Powerful pro-independence coalition says it will start secession process after
September local elections, in defiance of government in Madrid
Catalan separatist leaders have vowed to make a
unilateral declaration of independence from Spain after local elections
in September, putting themselves firmly on a collision course with the
central government in Madrid.
unilateral declaration of independence from Spain after local elections
in September, putting themselves firmly on a collision course with the
central government in Madrid.
The
leaders of the two main Catalan nationalist political parties and
pro-independence grass roots groups on Monday unveiled a united platform
for the September 27 election in the semi-autonomous region. Although
the election is for seats in the Catalan parliament, nationalists are
treating it as a plebiscite on independence.
leaders of the two main Catalan nationalist political parties and
pro-independence grass roots groups on Monday unveiled a united platform
for the September 27 election in the semi-autonomous region. Although
the election is for seats in the Catalan parliament, nationalists are
treating it as a plebiscite on independence.
“The whole world needs to understand that this is for real,” Raul
Romeva, a former MEP who heads the “Together for Yes” electoral list,
said after the launch.
“If on
September 27 this proposal has the sufficient and necessary majority,
what we want is for the [Catalan] parliament to solemnly declare that
according to that mandate, the process of independence should begin.”
September 27 this proposal has the sufficient and necessary majority,
what we want is for the [Catalan] parliament to solemnly declare that
according to that mandate, the process of independence should begin.”
According to this plan, a further, binding, referendum would take place
in 2016, before the establishment of an independent Catalan state is
completed.
independence charge is Artur Mas, the defiant regional premier of
Catalonia and leader of the nationalist Convergence party. He has been
the figurehead of the separatist movement
since announcing his support for secession in 2012, after conservative
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy refused to negotiate changes to Catalonia’s
financial relationship with Madrid.
Many Catalans complain that their
relatively wealthy region of seven million inhabitants subsidises the
rest of Spain with their taxes Photo: Reuters
relatively wealthy region of seven million inhabitants subsidises the
rest of Spain with their taxes Photo: Reuters
