SPAIN-CATALONIA/VOTE PREPS Expatriate Catalans gather in Barcelona for symbolic independence vote

Record ID: 328363

  • Title: SPAIN-CATALONIA/VOTE PREPS Expatriate Catalans gather in Barcelona for symbolic independence vote
  • Date: 8th November 2014
  • Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (NOVEMBER 08, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BARCELONA SKYLINE BARCELONA TOURIST BUS BEING DRIVING PAST PRO INDEPENDENCE STAND IN DOWNTOWN BARCELONA SIGN READING "WE WANT A NEW COUNTRY" PRO-INDEPENDENCE VOLUNTEER GUIDING WOMAN CLOSE UP OF ID CLOSE UP OF WOMAN PEOPLE WALKING BY STAND MEETING OF CATALANS WHO LIVE ABROAD CLOSE UP OF WOMAN TALKING AT MEETING PEOPLE TALKING AT MEETING
  • Embargoed: 23rd November 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2HNUB1QGTHGS3XJRVF6QYFD1B
  • Story Text: Catalans living abroad gathered in Barcelona on Saturday (November 8) ahead of Sunday's symbolic vote on Catalonia independence.
    Catalans are expected to turn out in droves on Sunday (November 9) to make their strongest show of force to date for breaking away from the rest of Spain in a symbolic independence referendum.
    Ballot boxes have been distributed in 1317 polling stations, far less than in a normal election, and Catalans are still finding out where they have to vote by inquiring at pro- independence stands placed in cities and towns, or looking it up on special websites set up by local institutions.
    Opinion polls show that as many as 80 percent of the 7.5 million people in the northeast region are in favour of increased autonomy from Spain, with about 50 percent in favour of full independence.
    The autonomous community of Catalonia accounts for one fifth of Spain's economic output and its long-standing desire for independence has been fuelled by the country's deep recession of the past few years.
    Catalans have added to the cause by making a campaign video for the 'yes' vote in which they pose with the slogan "I vote" and show the country they live in.
    Belen Murillo, who lives in Ecuador, knows the chances of a formal vote on Catalan autonomy remain slim, but she is certain the vote on Sunday will make a difference.
    "It has been some time since I thought "I must be there, I have to vote." I have to be a part of this process because a pro-independence referendum is something big. It is not really a referendum, because they have found the way of twisting it all, but it doesn't matter because tomorrow I will put my ballot in a ballot box and I will vote," she said.
    Nuria Costa, daughter of a Catalan editor forced into exile in Mexico under dictator Francisco Franco, grew up learning all about Catalan culture and wanted to be in Barcelona for the vote.
    "I didn't think I would come here and vote in the first moment. My first thought was "I am going go, and be there. I want to feel it in my skin and in my heart. That is what matters," she said, making an effort to speak Catalan.
    Josep Lluis Perez left his hometown almost 50 years ago fleeing from Franco's rule. For him, being back for the vote on Sunday felt like a duty.
    "My country was always Catalonia. For me, to come back with the only purpose - after 48 years out of the country, 38 of them in Canada, Toronto, it is something that I am looking forward to. With joy I will go tomorrow, I will line up myself and put my ballot in, answering the question because I believe it is important to me," he said.
    While most Catalans feel they have been unfairly penalized by cuts in national public spending on welfare and other services when the region's taxes contribute a disproportionate amount to the country's income, many of them also oppose breaking away from Spain.
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