topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2286.26 -0.09
DAX 6754.2 -0.16
IBEX 30 8846.9 0.13
CAC 40 3411.54 0.18
FTSE 100 5890.26 -0.03
AEX 325.97 0.28
DJIA 12882.63 0.29
Nasdaq 2906.14 0.14
FTSE MIB 16491.71 0.62
TSX Composite 12521.41 -0.31
ASX 4344.9 -0.45
Hang seng 20699.19 -0.05
Straits Times 2957.78 0.60
ISEQ 20 504.97 -0.68
You are here: Home News Spanish News Spanish judge bars Catalan independence poll
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


04/09/2009Spanish judge bars Catalan independence poll

A judge deems the poll illegal as only the central government is allowed to call referendums.

Barcelona – A judge in Spain Thursday barred a town in the northeast of the country from holding a referendum on independence for the Catalonia region.
 
Catalan nationalists in Arenys de Munt, home to around 8,000 people, had planned to hold the vote on 13 September, backed by municipal authorities.

But a judge in the Catalan capital of Barcelona accepted a request to bar the poll from lawyers representing the Spanish state, who had deemed it illegal as only the central government is allowed to call referendums.

The organisers had planned to ask the town residents if they supported Catalonia becoming an independent nation.

A sizeable minority in Catalonia would like to see the wealthy region achieve independence from Spain.

Thursday's decision comes as a long-delayed ruling is expected in the coming weeks from Spain's Constitutional Court on the legality of a statute that gave Catalonia enhanced tax-raising, administrative and legal powers.

The statute was passed by the national parliament in Madrid and adopted by referendum in Catalonia in 2006.

A decision by the court against it would be deeply embarrassing for the Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose government needs the support of Catalan parties in parliament.

AFP / Expatica


3 reactions to this article

Pierre posted: 2009-09-04 13:01:29

A sizeable minority???????. Over 60% of the population of Catalonia is in favor of independence, the Catalan language and culture has nothing to do with the Spanish, the Spanish constitution in fact considered as Catalonia and Vasque Country nations within the state, therefore , Catalonia is not Spain

Miquel from Amsterdam posted: 2009-09-06 13:12:48

This is not true.
The Spanish court did not block the referendum.
They only blocked the Council to participate and allow it to happen in the Council.
The meyer of the village has found another place to hold the referendum and will participate on his free time as citizen, not as meyer.
The Spanish government does not have the power to prohibit a private survey on independence.
The referendum will go on.
And Spain will see soon how hundreds of Catalan villages follow al together with a huge private referendum for independence.

robert posted: 2009-09-09 22:29:53

A sizeable minority???????. please dont read more EL MUNDO OR LA RAZON AND DONT SEE INTERECONOMIA.

3 reactions to this article

Pierre posted: 2009-09-04 13:01:29

A sizeable minority???????. Over 60% of the population of Catalonia is in favor of independence, the Catalan language and culture has nothing to do with the Spanish, the Spanish constitution in fact considered as Catalonia and Vasque Country nations within the state, therefore , Catalonia is not Spain

Miquel from Amsterdam posted: 2009-09-06 13:12:48

This is not true.
The Spanish court did not block the referendum.
They only blocked the Council to participate and allow it to happen in the Council.
The meyer of the village has found another place to hold the referendum and will participate on his free time as citizen, not as meyer.
The Spanish government does not have the power to prohibit a private survey on independence.
The referendum will go on.
And Spain will see soon how hundreds of Catalan villages follow al together with a huge private referendum for independence.

robert posted: 2009-09-09 22:29:53

A sizeable minority???????. please dont read more EL MUNDO OR LA RAZON AND DONT SEE INTERECONOMIA.

Discussion Forums

Housing in Spain

Sitges, Barcelona - 5 Bedroom Villa € 1,150,000 For Sale

Jobs in Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

Business and Personal Finance in Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

Student forum Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

Community Noticeboard Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.