(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The leader of Spain's Catalonia region said yesterday he would defy Madrid to hold a non-binding independence vote in less than two months, saying his people deserved the same right to determine their future as Scots who voted to stay in Britain.
With its own language and culture, and a long-standing pro-independence movement that has gathered momentum in recent years of economic hardship, Catalonia has sought a referendum on independence similar to the one held in Scotland on Thursday.
Unlike London, which allowed the Scottish vote, Madrid says even a non-binding referendum would violate the Spanish constitution and has pledged to block it in the courts.
Spanish political leaders, including centre-right Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Socialist opposition leader Pedro Sanchez, hailed the Scottish "no" vote and said the outcome demonstrated the value of unity for Spain.
The government opened the door on Friday to revising how Spanish regions are financed but said any such move would not be linked to the Catalan independence movement.
Catalan leader Arturo Mas denied that the Scottish rejection of independence had hurt the Catalan secessionist cause. "What happened in Scotland is not a setback for us, because what we really want in Catalonia is to have the chance to vote," Mas said.
The Catalan regional government was due to pass a bill later yesterday giving Mas the power to call a non-binding referendum. Mas said he would sign it and would hold the vote on November 9.
A late surge in polls for Scottish independence had galvanised supporters of secession for Catalonia, and many expressed disappointment that Scots had ultimately held back.
"As a Catalan, I would have liked to have seen a 'yes' for independence, because it would have been a boost for us," said Jordi Prosa, a 54-year-old business administrator in Barcelona.
Nevertheless, others seized on the enthusiastic Scottish vote as proof that whatever the outcome, regions should be permitted to choose their own future.
"What is clear here is that people want to vote," said Josep Roda, a 55-year-old lawyer. "Scotland is a good example of allowing people to express their opinion."
Madrid's refusal to grant a referendum has angered many Catalans, even some who favour continued union with Spain.
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