Catalonia cancels independence referendum
Regional government moves to cancel independence referendum scheduled for November and announces an alternative process.
All the explanations will be given at a special press conference later, a representative of Catalonian President Artur Mas said. The referendum appointed for November 9 would violate the Constitution, the Spanish government warned. However, the Catalonian authorities promised to organize it anyway.
The idea of independence became popular with 7.5 million Catalonians due to the economic crisis in Spain. The Parliament voted for letting Catalonia organize the referendum on September 19 (106 votes pro, 28 - contra), BBC reports.
The Spanish government protested against it. The Constitutional Court agreed to consider the issue. The hearing may take up to three years.
