Details about referendum on independence announced in a show of force by Catalan government

President Puigdemont claims that citizens will vote and “no action by Spain will stop it”

Catalan government took the stage at the Catalan National Theatre
Catalan government took the stage at the Catalan National Theatre / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

July 5, 2017 12:31 AM

The Catalan government made a show of force on Tuesday evening by committing itself once more in front of a 1,000 strong audience at the Catalan National Theater to holding a referendum on independence on October 1. Unlike the previous promises, though, this time it was announced with some long-awaited details on the vote and the official launch of a website (garanties.cat) where all the related information is to be found.

The Catalan president and vice president challenged the Spanish government while two other leaders of the main pro-independence coalition went through the fine print of the law, without forgetting that the smaller also pro-independence far-left CUP have facilitated a working majority for secession for the past two years.

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont reaffirmed his determination to hold the vote despite opposition by Spanish government, claiming that the success of the referendum depends only on the turnout and the final vote count. “There is no institution in Spain that can stop it,” he said.