independence referendum

Months after the picture went viral, he says police officers are "going after" him, and is accused of disobedience from referendum day

City councilor says participation in proceedings ensures cases are not closed due to prosecutor’s “passivity”

From the mass demonstration in favor of hosting refugees to the independence declaration, it has been one of the most intense years ever in Catalonia

While 27 courts around Catalonia have opened cases relating to referendum day, ANC files suit over continued closure of its website

People went on strike and took to the streets against the October 1 repression

Jordi Turull estimates turnout to be in the millions and urges citizens to go out and vote

Violent reaction by security forces not enough to dissuade voters from turning out in large numbers at polling stations

Actions were “proportional” for a referendum that was “not celebrated,” according to Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría

Spanish president says the bill is “absolutely illegal” and dismisses it as a blow to democracy

Presidency secretary general and managing director of citizen information asked to give witness statements to the police for investigation into October 1 vote

Rajoy insists October 1 vote will not take place while vice president warns courts can freeze referendum bill in 24 hours

It includes political parties and organizations that share a commitment to a self-determination vote 

The Spanish Constitutional Court (TC) accepted this Tuesday the suit presented by the Spanish Government which claimed that those line items in the 2017 Catalan budget oriented toward calling a referendum this September were illegal. The magistrates, which met in an extraordinary session to address only this matter, unanimously agreed to suspend these budget items for a period of 5 months, which could be extended if necessary. Rajoy’s Executive also wants Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, and the other members of the Catalan Government to be personally notified of the suspension as well as the penal consequences of ignoring it. In particular, the TC suspended two line items: one establishes €5 million for electoral processes and €0.8 million for participation and the other refers to the possibility of calling a referendum with or without the Spanish State's permission.

85% of Catalans are in favour of a referendum on independence, according to a poll published on Sunday by the newspaper ‘El Periódico’. Of all the respondents, 49.6% approve holding a referendum without the Spanish Government’s permission and 35% make it subject to the support of the state. Only 13.8% of the respondents are totally opposed to it. Regarding the result of the vote, “yes” to Catalonia’s independence prevails with 48.9%, in comparison to 40.3% against. The media outlet published this Monday another poll in which it points out that, in case of elections in Catalonia, pro-independence forces would maintain or even increase their absolute majority in the Parliament with between 69 and 73 seats. Currently, the governing cross-party list ‘Junts pel Sí’ (JxSí) and the radical left pro-independence CUP total 72 MPs, with 68 needed for a majority.

The Spanish Constitutional Court (TC) suspension of the Parliament’s plan to call a referendum in Catalonia in September of next year has outraged many sectors of Catalan political and civil society. This Thursday, Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, stated that the TC’s decision “confirmed” the existence of “constitutional populism” in Spain which claims that “Catalans are not allowed to vote”. In response, assured Puigdemont, the Government will simply “apply democracy”. “Catalans have the right to vote, debate and hold meetings, therefore, we will vote, debate and hold meetings”, he stated. The Catalan President also took the chance to express his support and that of the whole executive for the Parliament’s President, Carme Forcadell, who will face trial on Friday for allowing the pro-independence roadmap to be put to vote in the Catalan Chamber last July.