Leaders in Catalonia have vowed to push forward with plans to hold a referendum on 9 November, despite opposition to the vote from the Spanish government.
The Spanish government declared the vote “illegal”, with Spain's constitutional court stating it was to review the legality of the referendum. The ruling effectively suspended the vote from going ahead, but Catalonia's leader Artur Mas, stated it would take place as planned regardless.
Catalan regional government spokesman Francesc Homs told reporters, "We have agreed to maintain the decree calling the vote so that citizens can exercise their right to vote on November 9."
On Friday, Mr Mas and the representatives of the four parliamentary groups that support self-determination reiterated their intention to press ahead.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded by saying the referendum was not "compatible with the Spanish constitution".
"Nobody and nothing will be allowed to break up Spain," he said.
The Spanish government declared the vote “illegal”, with Spain's constitutional court stating it was to review the legality of the referendum. The ruling effectively suspended the vote from going ahead, but Catalonia's leader Artur Mas, stated it would take place as planned regardless.
Catalan regional government spokesman Francesc Homs told reporters, "We have agreed to maintain the decree calling the vote so that citizens can exercise their right to vote on November 9."
On Friday, Mr Mas and the representatives of the four parliamentary groups that support self-determination reiterated their intention to press ahead.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded by saying the referendum was not "compatible with the Spanish constitution".
"Nobody and nothing will be allowed to break up Spain," he said.