Unic Press UK: Catalan lawmakers voted today in favour of independence from Spain. The outcome was 70 in favour of independence, 10 against, 2 abstentions – blank ballots.
The voting today is a strong statement. It means the Catalan regional parliament has expressed unwavering support for the outcome of the independence referendum that was held on 1st October 2017, in which circa 90% of the votes were in favour of independence from Spain.
Soon after Catalans declared independence, the Spanish upper house The Senate voted to impose direct rule over Catalonia with 214 votes in favour and 47 against. This means that Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution has been invoked to enable Madrid use its powers to suppress Catalonia’s independence from Spain. The situation is tense.
About Catalonia
Catalonia is a region in the Kingdom of Spain. It commands a high degree of autonomy; and contributes significantly to economic activities:
- 16% of Spain’s population live in Catalonia, and it produces
- 19% of Spain’s GDP
- 21% of foreign investment
- 26% of Spain’s exports
On 1 October 2017, the Catalans voted in favour of independence from the Kingdom of Spain.
Final results of the Catalan Self-determination #Referendum https://t.co/7EtXjv0ZeW #1OCT pic.twitter.com/cJZgC1s2rN
— Catalan Government (@catalangov) October 6, 2017
The result of the 1st October referendum was ‘nullified’ by the Spanish government, claiming that it was illegal.
On 27th October 2017, the Catalan lawmakers voted in favour of independence from Spain. The outcome was 70 in favour of independence, 10 against, 2 abstentions – blank ballots.
The Spanish government rejected the position of Catalan lawmakers; and its upper house The Senate voted on 27th October 2017 to impose direct rule over Catalonia with 214 votes in favour and 47 against. This means that Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution has been invoked to enable Madrid use its powers to suppress Catalonia’s independence from Spain.
