Catalonia’s president announced today his decision to go ahead with an independence referendum, after seeing little progress in addressing economic and political grievances with Madrid, reports the Financial Times.
Dispelling criticism from the Spanish government that the referendum was unconstitutional and emphasising the need for Catalns to decide their own future, Mas further said,
“We will never give up on the option of reaching an agreement with Madird. But at the moment such an agreement is very unlikely. They are saying no to almost everything (we have asked for)”, said President Artur Mas.The referendum on Catalonia’s political future is due to take place in November.
Dispelling criticism from the Spanish government that the referendum was unconstitutional and emphasising the need for Catalns to decide their own future, Mas further said,
“I see myself more as the president of the referendum that than the president of independence. There is no greater frustration in a democracy than wanting to vote but not being able to vote."