Catalans vote in �historic� polls over independence

AFP, BARCELONA: Catalans voted Sunday in an election dubbed crucial for the future of Spain, with polls pointing to a win by separatists who vow to declare the region independent by 2017.
The drive to break the rich northeastern region away from Spain and create a new state in Europe has prompted a fierce standoff with the Spanish government.
“Catalonia decides its future in Spain,” ran Sunday’s front-page headline in the centre-right national daily El Mundo.
After the Spanish government blocked him from holding a straight referendum, regional president Artur Mas cast Sunday’s vote for the regional parliament as a chance for “freedom” from rule by Madrid. His separatist alliance has vowed to declare independence by 2017 if it secures a majority in the parliament, even without a majority of votes.
Spain’s central government brands secession illegal and wants the country to stay united as the eurozone’s fourth-biggest economy recovers from recession.
Madrid says Catalonia would drop out of the European Union and eurozone if it separated from Spain.
Voters turned out under cloudy skies in Barcelona, where red- and yellow-striped Catalan flags hung from buildings.
Past polls have indicated Catalans favour a referendum but are evenly divided over independence. Personalities such as Barcelona football club’s beloved former coach Pep Guardiola and current defender Gerard Pique support independence.
“Without independence, nothing will change. This is a chance to turn everything around,” said Alex Donate, 29, who voted for Mas’s list in a middle-class district of Barcelona.
Donate said his parents are not from Catalonia originally and will vote “No”. He added: “I love Spain, but I think independence will be good for us.”
Pensioner Mireia Galobart, 70, was worried however about the financial and economic stakes of secession. “Now is not the time to separate,” she said, leaning on a cane.
The Spanish government has warned Catalonia risks plunging into financial chaos if it secedes.

 

Catalans vote in �historic� polls over independence

AFP, BARCELONA: Catalans voted Sunday in an election dubbed crucial for the future of Spain, with polls pointing to a win by separatists who vow to declare the region independent by 2017. The drive to break the rich northeastern region away from Spain and create a new state in Europe has prompted a fierce standoff with the Spanish government. Catalonia decides its future in Spain, ran Sundays front-page headline in the centre-right national daily El Mundo. After the Spanish government blocked him from holding a straight referendum, regional president Artur Mas cast Sundays vote for the regional parliament as a chance for freedom from rule by Madrid. His separatist alliance has vowed to declare independence by 2017 if it secures a majority in the parliament, even without a majority of votes. Spains central government brands secession illegal and wants the country to stay united as the eurozones fourth-biggest economy recovers from recession. Madrid says Catalonia would drop out of the European Union and eurozone if it separated from Spain. Voters turned out under cloudy skies in Barcelona, where red- and yellow-striped Catalan flags hung from buildings. Past polls have indicated Catalans favour a referendum but are evenly divided over independence. Personalities such as Barcelona football clubs beloved former coach Pep Guardiola and current defender Gerard Pique support independence. Without independence, nothing will change. This is a chance to turn everything around, said Alex Donate, 29, who voted for Mass list in a middle-class district of Barcelona. Donate said his parents are not from Catalonia originally and will vote No. He added: I love Spain, but I think independence will be good for us. Pensioner Mireia Galobart, 70, was worried however about the financial and economic stakes of secession. Now is not the time to separate, she said, leaning on a cane. The Spanish government has warned Catalonia risks plunging into financial chaos if it secedes.