Catalonia calls off Spanish independence vote - but will hold ‘consultation’

The leader of Spain’s Catalonia region has called off a November 9 referendum on independence, but will be holding an unofficial poll—a “consultation”—to gauge the secessionist movement. Separatists in the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia, which has 7.5 million people, have been trying for several years to hold a vote to break away from Spain and carve out a new Mediterranean nation. Catalonia was forced to suspended the referendum after the Spanish government challenged its legality before Spain’s Constitutional Court, which suspended its staging while it deliberates on the issue. Spain says only the Spanish state can call referendums on sovereignty and that all Spaniards would be entitled to vote. Artur Mas - the region’s leader - insisted that the Catalan government is not backtracking.

The Catalan government maintains its goal of holding a referendum on November 9, it means there will be polling stations open, with ballot boxes and ballots. It will depend on the people for a strong enough participation to show that people here want to vote.

Artur Mas, Catalonia leader

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