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Catalonia “Wins Right To Statehood” After October 1st Referendum, Nears Independence
In spite of controversy and violence that surrounded Sunday’s referendum for Catalonia, leader Carles Puigdemont says the Spanish region has won the right to statehood.
He said the door had been opened to a unilateral declaration of independence.
Catalan officials later said 90% of those who voted backed independence in Sunday’s vote. The turnout was 42.3%.
Spain’s constitutional court had declared the poll illegal and hundreds of people were injured as police used force to try to block voting.
Officers seized ballot papers and boxes at polling stations.
“With this day of hope and suffering, the citizens of Catalonia have won the right to an independent state in the form a republic,” Mr Puigdemont said in a televised address flanked by other senior Catalan leaders.
“My government, in the next few days will send the results of today’s vote to the Catalan parliament, where the sovereignty of our people lies, so that it can act in accordance with the law of the referendum.”
He said the European Union could no longer “continue to look the other way”.
In another development, more than 40 trade unions and Catalan associations called a region-wide strike on Tuesday due to “the grave violation of rights and freedoms”.
Earlier, as voting ended, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Catalans had been fooled into taking part in an illegal vote. He called it a “mockery” of democracy.
“At this hour I can tell you in the strongest terms what you already know and what we have seen throughout this day. There has not been a referendum on self-determination in Catalonia,” he said.
Large crowds of independence supporters gathered in the centre of the regional capital Barcelona on Sunday evening, waving flags and singing the Catalan anthem.
Anti-independence protesters have also held rallies in Barcelona and other Spanish cities.
Read more: BBC
Stephen Ugo
October 2, 2017 at 9:51 pm
Congrats catanolia
Ikenna Emma Young
October 2, 2017 at 9:50 pm
Turn by turn
Ojiulo Christiano Odirachukwumma
October 2, 2017 at 9:37 pm
GOD HELP US,BIAFRA
Remigius Ezeh
October 2, 2017 at 9:34 pm
We must win like Catalonians.Biafra is my country
Ibrahim Sule Sakwaya
October 2, 2017 at 9:34 pm
The #REFERENDUM is not recognized by other countries
Okwudili Aleluyah Nweke
October 2, 2017 at 9:19 pm
more is coming
Henry-Paloka Adimonye
October 2, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Biafra is coming.
Chiwendu Okafor
October 2, 2017 at 9:11 pm
hausa pple of zoo, ve u pple use una eyes see freedom
Iykiss Usher
October 2, 2017 at 9:04 pm
Congratulation to you people
Kelechi Nwachineke Ipob
October 2, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Biafra is coming
Onyedikachi Eno
October 2, 2017 at 9:02 pm
Good
Emmy Chukwunenye O John
October 2, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Congrats to Catalonia that God do it is the some God will making it happened to baifran the holy name of Jesus christ of Nazareth God bless children of baifran
Paul Ezuo
October 2, 2017 at 8:55 pm
Congratulations to the Catalans. Biafra referendum will soon follow in the name of Chukwu Okike Abhiama, iseeeeeee.
Itz General
October 2, 2017 at 8:53 pm
We are ready to hear Biafra referendum, but those stack illiterate does not understand the meaning of referendum
Cassidy Aniede
October 2, 2017 at 8:52 pm
Biafra is the nest God is great
Don Lucas
October 2, 2017 at 8:49 pm
Congrats
Arthur Ogu
October 2, 2017 at 8:47 pm
Congrats catalonia ,God do the same to us biafra ,Amen
Emmy Chukwunenye O John
October 2, 2017 at 8:55 pm
Amen
Abodunrin Daramola
October 2, 2017 at 8:46 pm
October 1st referendum ?
Hmm, what a refreshing coincidence…
Victor Edeh
October 2, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Very soon oriental times will post biafra statehood same like this in Jesus name
Godswill Uche
October 2, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Amen
Emmy Chukwunenye O John
October 2, 2017 at 8:54 pm
I believe it in Jesus christ name Amen God bless you bro
Cee Cee Ibezym
October 2, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Congrats the newest state
Princegoz Ifeanyi Adindu
October 2, 2017 at 8:43 pm
the God that did it for catalonians, will do it for Biafra.
Emmy Chukwunenye O John
October 2, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Amen
Godswill Uche
October 2, 2017 at 8:54 pm
Amen