Independence referendums

Most British people want their country to remain a member of the European Union, and those who are in favour of leaving are a minority, according to the results of a poll published today, reports Reuters.

Barely a quarter of Catalans want to continue with a plan to claim independence from Spain in the wake of Dec. 21 regional elections, according to a poll published in El Pais newspaper on Nov. 27.

The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region.

Catalan MPs backed the motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy earlier told senators direct rule was needed to return “law, democracy and stability” to Catalonia.

The Government of Spain stated that on Saturday it will begin the procedure for invoking Article 155 of its Constitution, which will suspend the autonomous status of Catalonia.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont did not give a clear answer to Madrid whether he proclaimed independence for Catalonia last week and after he resumed his calls for dialogue, world agencies said.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he does not want Catalonia to become independent because it would encourage other regions to do the same and make EU governance too complicated, Reuters reported.

Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont will not respond to the Spanish government's request to clarify what the declaration of independence signed Tuesday evening by regional authorities actually means, said Rasson, quoted by TASS.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy today (October 11) asked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont for more clarity on his declaration of independence from Spain.
He said the Spanish government was to discern “whether they (Catalan leaders) have or will make an independence declaration” before taking further measures.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said that the government formally asked Catalonia if it had declared independence, after Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont made his first speech on Tuesday following the controversial referendum that took place on October 1.

The Spanish government will not allow the unilateral declaration of independence by the Catalan authorities to become a reality, in an interview with the El País newspaper Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. He pointed out that Madrid may use the constitution if the separation is announced, BNR reported.