Catalonia lawmakers vote to set secession plan from Spain

The Parliament of Catalan [official website, in Catalan] on Monday approved [press release, in Catalan] a proposed resolution to begin separation from Spain. Lauren, give us a few details.

Parliament passed this legislation by a mere nine votes.

Independentests will then seek to establish a Catalan republic within 18 months.

On Wednesday (11 November), Rajoy’s government will ask the Spanish Constitutional Court to “immediately suspend” the Catalan resolution. It says that court has been delegitimized. They hope to separate from Spain by 2017.

WERTHEIMER: So how will they go about this?

However, they still have to form a government, amid disagreement on who who should preside.

The 18-month road map calls for the passage, within 30 days, of laws setting up a new Catalan tax authority and social security system, as well as the drafting of a Catalan constitution.

“A referendum would be the ideal tool but the Spanish government blocked it”.

WERTHEIMER: What’s been the comment from the central government in Madrid?

Things might be about to get a bit lonely for Real Madrid in La Liga.. It’s symbolic but illegal and impossible to carry out – so the Spanish government says.

If the court accepts the government’s appeal as is expected, the Catalan resolution will be automatically suspended until judges hear arguments and make their decision. He’ll hold an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow. “We have strength and legitimacy, even if the Spanish states resists”, said Pere Aragones, an assembly member with Together for Yes, according to the Guardian.

WERTHEIMER: Why is this happening now, Lauren?

With the passing of Monday’s secession resolution, the stage is set for a potentially long and drawn-out series of political and legal moves meant to keep Catalonia a part of Spain. Well, Catalonia held one, too, exactly one year ago today. Taking out their “neutral” vote of 8.94 percent, a majority of the votes would have gone to the pro-independence camp.

Catalonia, the triangular region in northeastern Spain, already has its own language and traditions.

Catalonia is the Spanish State before the biggest challenge in recent history: the economically strong region took the first step to their secession from Spain.

Barcelona, Catalonia’s regional capital, has a population of about 1.6 million while Madrid, Spain’s capital, has a population of about 3.1 million.

Following a heated-up debate, 72 of the 135 representatives voted for the bid, with 63 votes against.