Sunday, October 1st could see a self-determination referendum take place in Catalonia. This major electoral event is still conditional as the Madrid government is currently fiercely opposed to this request from the separatist coalition currently in power in Barcelona.
According to Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish Prime Minister, it would be an “unconstitutional” consultation with no legal value and which, should it result in a “yes” victory, would not be recognized by his government. The uncompromising conservative leader is supported in this stance by Pedro Sanchez, leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party. Conversely, Carles Puigdemont, leader of the Catalan independence movement, assures that he will be able to conduct a swift and smooth separation in the event of a victory.
In 2014, a similar consultation was already organized in Catalonia. The “yes” for Catalonian independence overwhelmingly won with 80.8% of the votes, but with a turnout of only 37%.
