Catalonia renews independence bid

If an alliance of pro-secession parties wins a majority in Catalonia’s forthcoming election, they will aim to split from Spain within months, despite opposition from Madrid

SPAIN
CATALONIA

Pro-independence parties running on joint ticket called “Together for yes”, led by former eco-socialist MEP Raül Romeva (centre), and including centre-right CDC party, led by Catalan president Artur Mas (right), left-wing ERC party, led by Oriol Junqueras (left), and pro-independence civil-society groups

CATALONIA’S PUSH FOR INDEPENDENCE

2010: Constitutional Court strikes down key terms of 2006 autonomy statute, ruling there is no legal basis
for recognising Catalonia as separate nation within Spain

Sep 2012: 1.5m people take part in independence rally in Barcelona 

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy rejects call by Catalan president Artur Mas for greater fiscal independence

Nov: Catalonia holds snap election – 107 out of 135 MPs in new parliament support referendum on self-determination

Jan 2013: Sovereignty declaration adopted by Catalan parliament

Apr 2014: Spanish parliament votes against transferring referendum powers to Catalonia

Nov 9: Catalan government stages symbolic poll on secession, despite strong opposition from Madrid. In non-binding vote, over 80% of those taking part back independence

Sep 27, 2015: Catalonia expected to hold early election, that pro-secession leaders say will serve as de-facto referendum on leaving Spain

Picture: Getty Images