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Catalans Determined to Vote in Referendum Declared Illegal

Spain considers an independence referendum illegal, but Catalans are determined to vote anyway.

Barcelona flag
Flag of Barcelona, Spain, September 17, 2013 (Fredrik Rubensson)
  • Spain claims control of Catalonia’s public finances and police force in an attempt to prevent the region from voting on independence.
  • According to regional president Carles Puigdemont, Spain has “crossed a red line.”
  • Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has urged Catalans to step back from the brink but also vowed to do “whatever is necessary” to prevent them from voting in an illegal referendum.