Catalans vote "Yes" & "Yes" in referendum
The Catalan News Agency is reporting that Catalans have overwhelmingly voted "Yes" "Yes" in their non-binding referendum (November 9th 2014) on independence from Spain.
The referendum had two parts (if the respondent answered Yes to the first question), question one asked:
Do you want Catalonia to become a State?
The second question asked:
If yes, do you want to become an independent State?
Turnout was reported at 2.25 million (around half of the electorate) with nearly 81% voting for the double Yes option. Around 10% voted for a Catalan state within a federal Spain and 4.5% for continuation of the existing situation.
The referendum has not been recognised by the central government in Madrid citing it as unconstitutional. The vote was therefore organised and run by public institutions and civil society associations. Cross-party observers from the European Parliament have stated that the referendum has "been conducted successfully", carried out "in a peaceful and open" way and "under challenging circumstances".
Speaking about the result Artur Mas, Catalan President, said:
"Catalans have shown, once again, that they want to rule themselves... in a peaceful, democratic and free way."
Speaking to Russia Today Mr. Mas said:
"We deserve the right to vote in a definitive referendum and this is something that maybe is understood in Madrid, but if it is not understood in Madrid our will is to go on with this process."
Comments
There are currently no comments
New Comment