Spain Challenges Catalonia Independence Bid

“Opinion polls consistently show that about 50 percent of Catalans want to separate now, another 50 percent roughly want to remain a part of Spain”, said Wilson.

However, public officials who refuse to comply with a possible court order against the resolution could face charges of disobedience, punishable by removal from office for up to two years and heavy fines, said Elena Inigo, a professor of criminal law at the University of Navarra’s law school.

They also say that Catalonia is transferring too much in tax revenues to poorest regions and would be better off economically if it was independent. The declaration specifically pledged to ignore rulings of the Constitutional Court.

Opponents to a Catalan breakaway argue that many other Spanish regions also have a distinct identity and language, and that conceding to one would open a Pandora’s box of nationalist demands across Spain.

This court is expected to rule on whether it will admit the appeal on Wednesday, or Thursday at the latest.

But lawmakers from CUP – the smaller far-left separatist party without whom his coalition can not govern – frown on Mas, particularly for having passed tough spending cuts in the region during Spain’s recession. To continue being leader he needs nine votes from the CUP, which supports Junts pel Si for independence, but had promised not to vote for Mas.

After independence parties won most seats in recent Catalan parliamentary elections, which former Catalan president Mas declared to be a proxy vote on secession, Catalans began proceedings to begin the “road map” towards separation with Spain.

Tensions remain high as national parliament elections are less than six weeks away.

The stakes have risen.

The government of Spain under Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is battling Catalonia’s latest attempt at secession in the country’s Constitutional Court.

Surely that demonstration was a wake-up call for the Spanish government?

Several parties oppose secession for example, Catalan Socialists, in Catalonia and Citizens (Ciudadanos), a centre right party which was born in the northeastern area that is rich but has brought growing popularity.

But normally, implicit threats in newspapers come from somewhere. For them, the economic crisis enveloping their beloved Catalonia was proof enough. The general election on 20 December could change everything.

The left-wing Podemos party is in favour of a referendum. But that resolution needs a government in place if it is to be acted upon.

In Britain, David Cameron made a Scottish gamble and held a referendum, which his side won.