BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) – The president of Spain’s Catalonia region signed a decree yesterday calling for a referendum on independence to be held on on Nov 9, putting the local government on a collision course with Madrid, which says such a vote is illegal.
The wealthy northeastern region, which accounts for around a fifth of Spain’s economy, has its own language and distinct culture and has long fought for self-rule.
A large majority of Catalans want to hold a referendum on independence, polls show, and have been encouraged by the close result in this month’s binding referendum in Scotland.
The region’s president, Artur Mas, signed the decree in a solemn ceremony in the Catalan regional government’s offices in Barcelona – the gothic Generalitat Palace – surrounded by his government and political allies in his campaign for independence.
“Catalonia wants to speak. Wants to be heard. Wants to vote. Now is the right time and we have the right legal framework to do so,” Mas said in a speech in Catalan, Spanish and English immediately after the signing ceremony.
In a section of his speech in English, Mas said he wanted to convey a message to European leaders and people.
“As all the nations in the world, Catalonia has the right to decide its political future … We believe that political issues must be resolved by negotiation and civilised attitudes. And we know that democracy is the most civilised way to resolve difficulties between nations.”
