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Spain Scowls As Catalonia Sets Oct 1st As Referendum Date
Spain is facing its deepest political crisis in decades after Catalonia’s regional parliament passed a law paving the way for an independence referendum on October 1st, with Madrid set to seek any means possible to block it from Thursday.
The looming showdown comes three weeks after jihadist attacks in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, and a seaside resort which killed 16 people and wounded more than 120.
“The concept of state and unity of the homeland … doesn’t have a future in modern democratic Europe,” said the president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, at the end of his speech late Wednesday after the vote.
Lawmakers approved the bill despite a February ruling by Spain’s Constitutional Court declaring it would be unconstitutional.
Shortly after the law was passed Puigdemont and the rest of his cabinet signed a decree calling the referendum, presenting a show of unity in the face of threats of legal action by Madrid, which deems the plebiscite illegal.
Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said before the law was passed that the government had asked the Constitutional Court to declare “void and without effect the agreements adopted” by the Catalan parliament.
She also denounced the regional assembly’s agreement to quickly vote on the bill with little debate as an “act of force” characteristic of “dictatorial regimes”.
At the same time, public prosecutors announced they would seek criminal charges for disobedience against the president of the Catalan parliament, Carme Forcadell, and other Catalan officials for allowing the vote on the referendum law.
‘Lost all legitimacy’
In a tweet earlier, Forcadell said she had requested that the 12 judges at the Constitutional Court be disqualified, calling them “another extension of the state which has lost all legitimacy”.
Most of the court’s judges have been nominated by lawmakers from Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party.
Catalonia, a region of 7.5 million people with its own language and culture, accounts for about one-fifth of Spain’s economic output, and has significant powers over matters such as education and healthcare.
But Spain’s economic worries, coupled with a perception that the region pays more in taxes than it receives in investments and transfers from Madrid, have helped push the cause of secession from the fringes of Catalan politics to centre stage.
Adding to the rise in separatist sentiment was a 2010 ruling by the Constitutional Court striking down parts of a 2006 autonomy charter which granted new powers to Catalonia and recognised it as “a nation”.
Lawmakers who back independence won an absolute majority in the 135-seat regional parliament for the first time in a September 2015 election. The government that emerged from that vote vowed to begin the process of breaking away from Spain.
Rajoy responded by promising new investments in Catalonia and regularly sent his deputy to the region, but made no significant reforms regarding the division of powers that addressed Catalan concerns.
Evenly divided
Caroline Gray, an expert on Spanish independence movements at Britain’s Aston University, said Madrid could have defused the rising separatist tide had it offered Catalonia a new financing deal a few years ago.
“If some sort of deal had happened in the past, I personally think we wouldn’t be where we are today,” she told AFP.
Opinion polls show that Catalans are evenly divided on independence. But a majority, over 70 percent, want a referendum to take place to settle the matter.
Rajoy steadfastly refuses to let Catalonia hold a plebiscite similar to Scotland’s 2014 referendum on independence from Britain, which was approved by London and resulted in a “no” vote.
His Popular Party and the Constitutional Court argue that the Spanish constitution does not allow regions to unilaterally decide on sovereignty.
The Catalan government staged a symbolic independence referendum in 2014, when more than 80 percent of participants voted to split from Spain — though only 2.3 million of Catalonia’s 5.4 million eligible voters took part.
Spain’s Court of Auditors ruled Tuesday that 11 former Catalan officials, including former Catalan president Artur Mas, must repay by September 25th the €5.1 million ($6.1 million) in public funds that it cost to hold that vote.
– AFP
Deboy Nnubia
September 7, 2017 at 9:30 pm
so shall it be for biafra soon, lets believe it because its at hand, iseeeeee
Onwe Mali Nnamdi
September 7, 2017 at 9:23 pm
You will not spot any Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba pig here o,they are on their heels,UMUEKWENSU.
Engr Odili Uduji
September 7, 2017 at 8:47 pm
From the beginning I love they faith, and it must come reality, and the Same thing with Biafra in Jesus name Amen
Emmanuel Eze
September 7, 2017 at 8:45 pm
D ZOO WILL SEE ND HEAR DIS ND EMULATE DEM INSTEAD OF KILINGS ND LYIN?_?
Mmegwa Chidera
September 7, 2017 at 8:32 pm
One Day It Shall Be Our Turn In Jesus Name…Amen
Mark Anyama
September 7, 2017 at 8:26 pm
It shall be like this to Biafra
Millionzeal Ifeanyi
September 7, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Biafra on my mind wish u the best Catalonia
Alukah Pedro Stanley
September 7, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Good news, Biafra will follow next
Erinle Olamide
September 7, 2017 at 7:32 pm
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Meka Anoruo
September 7, 2017 at 7:25 pm
Let the EU call up Biafra’s referendum as well,no time
Igho Edison Aziakpono
September 7, 2017 at 7:15 pm
Freedom is what we all want in Nigeria, not one sided president.
Nedum Ledosky
September 7, 2017 at 7:01 pm
If the arewas and yorubas sees this news they will argue about it thats its fake news but we are here and the catalonias are jubilating over it,soonest barcelona being one of the mejor city in catalan will be out of spain to be an independent state.
Vicent Ibe
September 7, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Having a referendum conducted in nigeria will once and for all spot the agitation for Biafra. The result will solve the 104 years of killing and slaughtering against the Biafrans.
Victor Chiagoziem Onuzulike
September 7, 2017 at 6:55 pm
If na niaja na arrset
Odo Obinna
September 7, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Next is Biafra referendum
Lyte Ndukuba
September 7, 2017 at 5:55 pm
Good
Biafrabuihe Onyebuchi
September 7, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Biafra is inevitable
Bon Ejehu
September 7, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Up Biafra will follow sooner than later!
Dion Nick
September 7, 2017 at 5:20 pm
That’s how it suppose to be everywhere in the world… but why Nigeria finds it difficult to understand that?…. # Baifran referendum needed.
Ejike Eze
September 7, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Amen
Pefiom Pefiom
September 7, 2017 at 5:14 pm
Wow this is good news to Biafra and sad news to Nigeria, Biafra on the way
Prince Soloist Onyedika
September 7, 2017 at 5:09 pm
Freedom for all
J Boy Montino Obi
September 7, 2017 at 5:00 pm
stupid naija.com cone and see news not ur stupid news that is biased
J Boy Montino Obi
September 7, 2017 at 5:01 pm
Naija.com
Sunnypeter Okafor
September 7, 2017 at 4:40 pm
one with GOD is majority
Anaetochukwu Adosaraonye
September 7, 2017 at 4:30 pm
i happily thanking God b’coz my Biafra will be the next
Anyanwu Chibueze Jude
September 7, 2017 at 4:23 pm
BIAFRAEXIT.
Anyanwu Chibueze Jude
September 7, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Soon will be ours.. BIAFRA.
Francisca Nwaneri
September 7, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Can naija govt learn from this
Patrick Don
September 7, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Nice waiting for Biafra referendum
Charles Chimajulam
September 7, 2017 at 4:10 pm
I Luv Dis
Okeke Uchenna
September 7, 2017 at 4:04 pm
All hail biafra
Jude Nwankwo
September 7, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Pls this news must be shared till it Buhari’s turn to share. next is Biafra
Chim Nedum U Nkemjika
September 7, 2017 at 4:01 pm
Biafra wen gave us date
Okeke Uchenna
September 7, 2017 at 3:59 pm
Our referendum is coming next
Okeke Uchenna
September 7, 2017 at 3:59 pm
All hail biafra
Sambobo Sampson
September 7, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Congrat, All hail biafra.
Frank Prince
September 7, 2017 at 3:50 pm
Fide Obi
September 7, 2017 at 3:48 pm
Congrats to them our is coming soon ooo. All hail Biafra.
Morris Nonso Madike
September 7, 2017 at 3:47 pm
Bello Isiaka
Nnadili Barth
September 7, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Just like biafra
Christopher Ochini
September 7, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Correct
Kelechi Mbamalu
September 7, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Day don break…Nnamdi Kanu must be a great man
Cyprian Mmegwa
September 7, 2017 at 3:40 pm
I have not seen any comments from Arewa and Hausa people
David Chukss
September 7, 2017 at 3:39 pm
And gutter media here is messing up joooo! Congratulations Spain.
Cigomet Trump Bullet
September 7, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Biafra referendum loading fast
Chinonso Chimeremeze
September 7, 2017 at 3:33 pm
If them vex finish make them allow them go it’s their right just like we Biafrans
Princewel Jose
September 7, 2017 at 3:32 pm
Do you know that biafra people don’t share land boundaries with Fulani hausa people? One Nigerian is artificial creation by foreign imperialism slaves manchant
Victor Eke Achonwa
September 7, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Biafra will be the next in line
Cyprian Mmegwa
September 7, 2017 at 3:31 pm
It is Biafra or death,nothing can stop us
David Okpara
September 7, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Let wait and see
OGbonna Son
September 7, 2017 at 3:26 pm
God please remamber our own
Emmanuel Petera
September 7, 2017 at 3:21 pm
VERY NICE BUT DONT EXPECT DIS IN NIGERIA BCOS OF OIL RAGHTER U EXPECT WAR BCOS AWUSA CAN MISS ALL DIA OIL BLOCK
Okongwu Chinedu
September 7, 2017 at 3:21 pm
nooo!! in naija refrendum is a hate speech, kingdom of animal. BIAFRA KWENU!!! we ar d next in line.
Necus Bets Ubua
September 7, 2017 at 3:20 pm
civilised people do their things like human being.
Ekeneme Chukwudi
September 7, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Nigeria Must learn from spain
Ernest Ohaji
September 7, 2017 at 3:13 pm
HELLO; all this uncircumcised hausa & yoruba una de see yam;? one nig is a fraud.
Oguzie Jude Ama
September 7, 2017 at 3:11 pm
…And nobody has been shut or killed o. Here in Nigeria, Referendum is misconceived and misconstrued as #war. Too bad. I have never seen where unity is by force bikonuo!!!
Tobechukwu Adunigwe
September 7, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Biafra will be next
Justice Udy
September 7, 2017 at 3:05 pm
God bless Catalonia!!!
Eyak Maurice
September 7, 2017 at 3:02 pm
O mehn see delevloping country
Ndeli Igwilokanu
September 7, 2017 at 2:59 pm
Buhari won’t like this beautiful news.
Nothing as freedom
Uche Joel
September 7, 2017 at 2:59 pm
BIAFRA is next in line.
Benjamin Okoji
September 7, 2017 at 2:57 pm
biafra iş next
Ogbonnaya Emmanuel Chi
September 7, 2017 at 2:54 pm
Catalonia is having their referendum on October 1but here in Nigeria some idiots will we biafrans is calling for war. Metceeeew!
Unity Micheal Edokpolor
September 7, 2017 at 2:48 pm
If there were to be Nigeria buhari we order military men to spray them bullets
Aluma Jona Enyi
September 7, 2017 at 2:41 pm
In one of the countries in west Africa, they see referendum as war… may God help them to receive common sense
Ebenezer Fidel
September 7, 2017 at 2:33 pm
My western world see Democratic country
Adedapo Adebisi Adejuwon Barcelona
September 7, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Biafra agitators should learn from nobody life’s was wasted so far but Nnamdi Cownu have cause a lot of havoc in Igbo land.
Collins Okonkwo
September 7, 2017 at 2:48 pm
But u suppose to stand by nnamdi KANU side look at seaport that is in ur legion but u are not benefiting from it do u know how much they realised from seme border everyday but ur people keep silent continue yo say it shall be well till when it shall be well some people just be like parasite socking other peoples blood without mercy
Amadi Sydney Mario
September 7, 2017 at 2:32 pm
that day will be a terrible day,
that day marks the “3months ultimatum by AREWA youths”
on that faithful day:
1. Nigeria will celebrate her independence,
2. Catalonia will conduct their referendum,
3. igbos in the north will be massacred by AREWA youths as they promised
then, comes….November, election will not hold in anambra state.
clap for IPOB
Kelvin Orite Ikiogha
September 7, 2017 at 2:30 pm
in Nigeria they see referendum is like a war to them
Anthony Okelue
September 7, 2017 at 2:27 pm
Believe me or not from oct1 nigeria will colapse
Sunny Okonofua
September 7, 2017 at 2:27 pm
SEE HOW CIVILIZE PEOPLE DO THINGS?MATURELY.
Chinedu Onwuka
September 7, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Nice one
Chinedu Ani
September 7, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Great news,congratulations to them,this is exactly what Biafrans re calling for and we must get it bcoz we re also human beings and not animals,UN should come out to tell us why they have not tell Nigeria government to grant us referendum,have Nigerian government not killed us enough?????
Rubben Lukeman Aro
September 7, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Let’s wait then. Once d referendum for catalunya independence is held and d Spanish army let it pass, no excuse for Nigeria govt then.
But I don’t see it happening. It’s not in d Spanish constitution.
Paul Prince Edemcord
September 7, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Chia God please remember we Biafrans let our own date come also bikonu
Ifeco Raph
September 7, 2017 at 2:24 pm
THANK God
Johnson Iyke
September 7, 2017 at 2:24 pm
And That Jubril from Sudan whom they claim to be BUHARI is here delaying our (BIAFRA) referendum
Chukwuemeka Chuks Agbo
September 7, 2017 at 2:23 pm
when is Biafra coming up
Ogbonna Kalu
September 7, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Our own will soon come
Jerom Chisom Paul
September 7, 2017 at 2:21 pm
Ist October has a wonderful significant occasion waiting to be developed globally.
IzuGod Prosper Igwe
September 7, 2017 at 2:20 pm
There s nothing like freedom
IzuGod Prosper Igwe
September 7, 2017 at 2:19 pm
Nise 1
Lemon Innocent
September 7, 2017 at 2:18 pm
What is happening to ours?
Emmanuel Samuel
September 7, 2017 at 2:17 pm
Good news