(MENAFN- NewsBytes)
What was the Catalan independence referendum?
Background
Catalan leaders held a referendum in defiance of Madrid to ascertain whether its population backed independence from Spain.
90% of 2.2 million voters, who amounted to 40% of Catalonia's population backed independence.
Madrid deployed its police forces to forcibly prevent voting. The crackdown left 900 people injured and significantly angered Catalans.
Numerous anti-Spain protests erupted afterward, with organizations including FC Barcelona backing Catalan independence.
Catalonia declares independence, puts it on hold
11 Oct 2017
On 11 October, the Catalan Parliament signed a declaration of independence in a session eagerly watched by the whole world.
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said that the declaration will not be implemented for several weeks, allowing time for talks with the Spanish government, which has dismissed the independence declaration.
Madrid had been stepping up pressure on Catalonia after it recently held a disputed referendum.
Catalan independence: Madrid moves to suspend the region's autonomy
20 Oct 2017
On October 20, Madrid gave an ultimatum to Catalan pro-independence leaders to withdraw the independence declaration or face measures taken under Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution.
These measures range from suspending the region's autonomy to calling for fresh elections.
Raising the stakes on its side, Catalan leaders stated that Spanish "repression" would push them towards implementing the independence declaration.
#CatalanCrisis deepens, Spain to remove leaders, take control of Catalonia
22 Oct 2017
On October 22, Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy put forward plans to conduct elections in Catalonia as sentiments surrounding the region's independence from Spain ran high.
However, he stopped short of dissolving the Catalan parliament.
This happened as large crowds protested Madrid's plans to impose direct rule on them.
In response, Catalan parliament speaker termed the measures "a de facto coup d' etat."
Catalonia: MPs clash over difference of opinion on Spanish takeover
27 Oct 2017
Spain is set to invoke measures to impose direct rule on Catalonia.
This comes after a recently convened session of the Catalan Parliament witnessed dramatic scenes as pro and anti-independence MPs clashed in a tense debate.
The debate started after President Carles Puigdemont stopped short of charting a course forward and asked the MPs to arrive at a decision.
Here's more about it.
What happened during the parliamentary debate?
Parliamentary debate
Puigdemont was expected to either declare independence or call for snap elections. He did neither but said that he doesn't mind calling snap elections provided Madrid provides certain assurances.
Pro-independence leaders urged for Catalonia stick to the independence declaration
On the other hand, Ines Arrimadas, leader of the anti-independence Citizens's party, accused Puigdemont of missing opportunities to resolve the crisis through negotiations.
Madrid responds
Fact
Defending her government's position, Deputy PM Soraya Saenz de Santamaria called that the Spanish model "one of the most decentralized in the world." She added that Spain was open to dialogue and said that "the pro-independence camp have made it clear they don't want dialogue."
What next?
Way forward
The Catalan parliament will soon vote on whether to implement its independence declaration.
In the meanwhile, the Spanish Senate will also vote on whether to trigger Article 155 of the constitution, thereby imposing direct rule on Catalonia.
If the Senate backs Article 155 measures, Madrid will remove Puigdemont and call for fresh elections.
It would also take over Catalan media, finances and the police.
MENAFN2710201701650000ID1095998585
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.