Barcelona Mayor: Catalonia to Call for Independence Referendum Following Scotland Vote
The Spanish region of Catalonia will call for a referendum on independence immediately after the people of Scotland hold their own vote, Xavier Trias, the mayor of Barcelona, wrote in an article published by The Guardian Thursday. ● "Barcelona's region, Catalonia, is also on a political journey, reflecting its history but above all the aspirations of its citizens. Catalonia suffered under the dictatorship, which ended in 1975. The Catalan language was banned. Today, Catalans have clearly and repeatedly expressed – peacefully – their desire to vote on Catalonia's independence," Xavier wrote. "In the last elections to the Catalan parliament, 70% of Catalans supported parties that seek a referendum on Catalonia's future status," the mayor noted. The Spanish region of Catalonia has been expecting the Scottish referendum to create a precedent for its own struggle for independence from Madrid. The Spanish government has followed the UK's lead and allowed a popular vote on the region's status set for November 9.
The Guardian: As in Scotland, so in Catalonia