Catalan independence vote may push Spain into crisis
Polls indicate that a coalition of parties favouring independence for the region will gain a majority in the Catalan parliament
Catalans go to the polls today in local elections that could plunge
Spain into its deepest constitutional crisis since the end of the Franco
dictatorship.
Polls indicate that a coalition of parties favouring independence for the region will gain a majority in the Catalan parliament.
While the elections themselves, in which as many as 5.4 million
people are expected to vote, have no constitutional power to determine
autonomy, the broad alliance of the left and right wing parties that
favour a breakaway has defined the vote as a de facto ballot on
secession.
For its part, the government in Madrid has said that it will vehemently oppose any power grab from Barcelona.
Catalans go to the polls today in local elections that could plunge
Spain into its deepest constitutional crisis since the end of the Franco
dictatorship.
Polls indicate that a coalition of parties favouring independence for the region will gain a majority in the Catalan parliament.
While the elections themselves, in which as many as 5.4 million
people are expected to vote, have no constitutional power to determine
autonomy, the broad alliance of the left and right wing parties that
favour a breakaway has defined the vote as a de facto ballot on
secession.
For its part, the government in Madrid has said that it will vehemently oppose any power grab from Barcelona.
