27-Oct-17 TV News: ‘Catalonia declares independence’

The Catalan Parliament declared independence today. In a historic plenary session almost a month after the referendum, Catalan MPs created an independent republic. Calls for dialogue and negotiation, which lasted until the very last minute, failed. With two pro-independence leaders in prison for sedition and a threat to suspend Catalonia's self-government on the table, President Carles Puigdemont said it was up to Parliament to decide what happens next. And it did. 70 MPs voted 'yes' to the declaration of independence, with 10 voting against and 2 abstentions, while the Spanish Senate voted to impose direct rule over Catalonia. Rajoy declared he would dissolve the Catalan parliament and force early elections. / ACN

ACN

October 27, 2017 09:35 PM