SPAIN-CATALONIA/VOTE-CELEBRATIONS Thousands celebrate vote on Catalonia independence from Spain

Record ID: 328366

  • Title: SPAIN-CATALONIA/VOTE-CELEBRATIONS Thousands celebrate vote on Catalonia independence from Spain
  • Date: 10th November 2014
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF CATALONIA'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON STAGE, SINGING VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS WAVING CATALAN AND SCOTTISH FLAGS
  • Embargoed: 25th November 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA46M5XFII0QQVZ9SY4BA2X2NKH
  • Story Text: Cheering supporters of Catalonia's vote on independence on Sunday (November 9) night celebrated the results of a symbolic referendum on their region's independence held against the will of Spain's central government.
    "Independence, Independence, " they chanted after listening to the numbers indicating that more than two million people cast their ballots.
    "Today more than two million Catalans have voted on our independence despite the obstacles imposed by the Spanish government that denies us the right to vote (for independence). Our journey towards self-determination is irreversible," pro-independence leader Muriel Casalls told cheering supporters.
    Many supporters waved Catalan flags at the gathering.
    "I am very happy about the results provided by Catalonia and the people who went to the polls. Very good, very good," Barcelona resident Elvis Santos said.
    "A very emotional day. This is only the first step to achieve the independence of our country of Catalonia," said Barcelona resident Mark Diaz who works as a baker.
    Supporters hope the vote will propel the issue further despite opposition from Madrid.
    The "consultation of citizens" in the wealthy northeastern region follows a legal block by the central government against a more formal, albeit still non-binding ballot which regional leaders had been pushing for.
    The ballot comes after two years of escalating tension between the central and the regional government over the issue. The government argues that Catalonia, which makes up about 16 percent of Spain's population, cannot decide something which affects Spain as a whole on constitutional grounds.
    Among the cheering supporters were a group of supporters of Scotland independence. In a referendum in September, Scottish people rejected independence from Britain.
    "It is amazing to see the energy around this referendum, to see so many positive people. It was the same with our referendum. The Catalans came to Scotland to support us. We have come here to support them. We really hope is a yes vote and that the referendum is recognised," said Roddie who came to Barcelona from Edinburgh to witness the symbolic vote.
    A Basque civil servant, Paxti Aguirre who travelled from Bilbao said his region should follow the example of Catalans.
    "We Basques should be jealous because we should be working to demand the right to vote in the same way they are doing it here," he said.
    Polls show that Catalans overwhelmingly support holding a proper referendum, regardless of their views on sovereignty.
    A long-standing breakaway movement in Catalonia, which accounts for one-fifth of Spain's economic output and has its own distinct culture and language, grew in strength during the recent years of deep recession.
    In early September -- buoyed by the Scottish independence campaign -- hundreds of thousands of Catalans dressed in the yellow and red of their regional flag packed the streets of Barcelona, forming a huge "V" to demand the right to vote.

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