BREAKING: Catalonia Declares Independence

[TheSaint250]

We’re things this bad before the Catalan government changed the status of the referendum in 2014?

[TheSaint250]

So, do you think the referendum will actually take place on 1 October or not?

I think it will. It’s the perfect selling point: oppressive federal govt, we must secede to succeed, etc.

[TheSaint250]

The Spanish should have just let it happen and ignored it. They should have let it go and told the Catalonians “no.” Now they really look like a dictatorship.

[TheSaint250]

Official provisional results of the referendum:

Yes 2,020,144(90 %)
No 176,566(7,8 %)
Turnout: 2,262,464 (using the 2015 regional election as a benchmark, 41% turnout)

Some votes still to be counted, like 50 000 or so.

That's pretty low turnout, if I'm not wrong.  Wasn't it projected to be higher?

[TheSaint250]

Article 155 will apply next Friday when voted by the Spanish Senate. Rumors are that Puigdemont will declare independence before that.

It could happen tomorrow:

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/869752/Catalan-independence-Catalonia-Carles-Puigdemont-Spain-Madrid-Mariano-Rajoy?utm_content=buffer85e61&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[TheSaint250]

Today Puigdemont offered to organize anticipated elections in Catalonia against cancellation of the article 155 and the liberation of the two jailed association leaders. The central government refused.
Puigdemont decided to let the Catalan Parliament chose, they are now debating. Independentists in the Parliament are split between those who want to declare independence right now, and those who are ready to give up for this time.

What ended up happening?

[TheSaint250]

Today Puigdemont offered to organize anticipated elections in Catalonia against cancellation of the article 155 and the liberation of the two jailed association leaders. The central government refused.
Puigdemont decided to let the Catalan Parliament chose, they are now debating. Independentists in the Parliament are split between those who want to declare independence right now, and those who are ready to give up for this time.

What ended up happening?

Nothing yet, but the fact that he didn't call a snap election today means that independence is a bit more likely.

These next few days will be interesting to say the least.

[TheSaint250]

Looks like not even Andorra is recognizing Catalonia: https://twitter.com/GovernAndorra/status/923977972155109376

I wonder if there'll be any recognition, even from fellow unrecognized countries.

I think South Ossetia sent a delegate there or something.

EDIT: South Ossetia's leadership will be considering recognition

[TheSaint250]

Poll Shows Catalan Secessionists Losing Majority, EL Mundo Says
By Charles Penty
(Bloomberg) -- Opinion poll shows Catalan secessionists losing majority in regional parliament, El Mundo reports.
Pro-independence bloc including ERC, PDeCAT, CUP parties would win 65 seats in regional assembly, short of the 68 seats needed for majority, newspaper says, citing results of poll by Sigma Dos
Ciudadanos would win 26-28 seats, PSC 20-22 seats, CSQP 13 seats, PP 10-12 seats: El Mundo; newspaper doesn’t provide technical details of poll in online version of story
NOTE: Secessionist bloc won 72 seats in 2015 elections

How much power does the de facto independent government have right now?