Catalan independence referendum cancelled

Catalonia to call off referendum

THE regional government of Catalonia has decided not to vote on an independence referendum and will announce alternative plans.

The referendum vote, which was planned for November 9 and highly opposed by Madrid’s central government, was cancelled on Monday October 13.

Joan Herrera, a lawmaker for the Catalonia party, said: “The government has determined that the referendum can’t take place.”

Catalan took note of the referendum in Scotland and although the Scots voted against independence, the Catalan National Assembly (ANC), a powerful civil pro-independence group,pushed ahead with ‘independence’ campaigns and door-to-door canvassing.

Although an increasing number of Catalans resent supporting other areas of Spain and believe they are better off on their own, a poll on October 5 showed support for the vote on referendum was dwindling, with only 23 per cent of Catalans supporting the idea.

The leader of Catalonia’s nationalist government, Artur Mas, is scheduled to give a press conference announcing an alternative proposal. He had previously vowed to respect the law in Spain whilst seeking independence.

With an economy roughly the size of Portugal’s, Catalonia and its 7.5 million inhabitants, approximately 16 per cent of the Spanish population, have long been the economic driving force of the country.

The Summer Olympics of 1992 were partly financed by the Catalan government, which helped turn Barcelona into one of Europe’s most visited cities and boost economy in the region.

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called for talks with Catalonia to resolve the deadlock.Commenting at a campaign event, he said: “Law and dialogue, this is the way out of this situation.”