Catalonia to vote on independence

on 27/09/2012 21:02:51

Catalonia has voted for a referendum on self-determination but the Spanish government warned it will have it stopped by the country's top court.

The Catalonian parliament voted today to hold the referendum after regional elections on November 25.

But deputy prime minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said such a referendum would be unconstitutional and will be halted.

Catalonia president Artur Mas called early elections and proposed the referendum after Spain recently rejected a demand to grant the region special fiscal powers.

Mr Mas led a massive pro-independence rally in Barcelona this month that was seen as a show of strength and a warning to Madrid.

Catalonia is Spain's most economically powerful region, but also the recession-stricken country's most indebted.