2014 Catalan self-determination referendum

An independence referendum is scheduled to be held in Catalonia during 2014. according to the governance agreement ratified by Artur Mas from CiU and Oriol Junqueras from ERC on December 18 of 2012. This agreement is also popularly known as Agreement for the Freedom. As a part of the agreement Artur Mas was sworn in as President of the Generalitat of Catalonia for a second term.

The referendum will be preceded by passing the referendum catalan act during 2013 which will allow for a legal referendum.

History

From 2009 to 2012

Unofficial Catalan Independence Referendums

Main article: Catalan independence referendums, 2009–2011

During the years 2009 and 2010 unofficial referendums were held in several Catalan towns and the option for independence received a large majority of the vote.

Rallies in Barcelona

Main articles: 2010 Catalan autonomy protest and 2012 Catalan independence demonstration

From 2010 to 2012 two large rallies occurred in Barcelona, the first one on June 10, 2010, was characterized by being led by a Catalan regionalism ideology, but the second one on September 11 2012 was openly pro-catalan independence. As a consequence of this second demonstration, Artur Mas, who was the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia at that time, called for early elections, obtaining an unexpected result of the "Agreement for the Freedom" between Artur Mas (CIU) and Oriol Jonqueras (ERC)

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  The Protest "Som una nació, nosaltres decidim" of July 10, 2010 at the junction of Paseig de Gracia and Aragon street. <ref Name="CNN"> "More than 1 million protest court ruling in Barcelona". CNN. July 11, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |query= ignored (help)
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  The Demonstration "Catalunya, nou estat d'Europa" of September 11, 2012 . Estelada hung between Mallorca and Valencia streets, in Paseig de Gracia.
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  The President of the Generalitat of Catalonia Artur Mas and Oriol Junqueras, signing the 2012-2016 governability agreement on December 19 of 2012.

Free Catalan Territories

Main article: Free Catalan Territory

Also, during 2012, several Catalan towns declared themselves Free Catalan Territory stating that "the Spanish legislation and regulations have effect only in Spain, therefore this town will wait for new legistation and regulation from the Catalan Government and Parliament of Catalonia. "

Resolution of the Catalan Parliament for Celebrating an Independence Referendum

The Catalan independence referendum is scheduled to take place during the Tenth Parliament of Catalonia autonomous priority. According to a resolution adopted at the Parliament of Catalonia on September 27, 2012:

The Parliament of Catalonia confirms the need for the people of Catalonia to be able to freely and democratically determine their collective future and urges the government to hold a referendum in the next legislative term.

The resolution was passed after the general policy debate with the result of 84 in favor, 21 against and 25 abstentions. The President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Artur Mas, declared in a speech to Parliament that it was time that the people of Catalonia to exercise the right of self-determination.

2013

Declaration of Sovereignty

Results of the votes for the "Declaration of sovereignity" at the Catalan Parliament, on January 23, 2013

On January 23, 2013 the Parliament of Catalonia approved by 85 votes in favor, 41 against, 2 abstentions and 5 did not vote the "Declaration of sovereignity and of the right to decide of the Catalan nation" , which states that "The people of Catalonia have -- by reason of democratic legitimacy -- the character of a sovereign political and legal entity." It was based on the following principles: sovereignty, democratic legitimacy, transparency, dialogue, social cohesion, Europeanism, legality, role of the Catalan Parliament and participation.

In accordance with the democratically expressed will of the majority of the Catalan public, the Parliament of Catalonia initiates a process to bring to promote the right of the citizens of Catalonia to collectively decide their political future.

The political parties CiU (50 YES), ERC (21 YES), ICV (YES 13) supported the statement block of sovereignty. On the other hand, the PPC (19 NO) and C's (9 NO) opposed the proposed block. Members of PSC voted 15 against and 5 did not vote despite being on the floor, and disobeying the orders of the party leadership to vote against the proposal. Finally, the CUP gave a "critical yes" with 1 vote in favor and 2 abstentions.

External links

• Proposed resolution passed in the Parliament of Catalonia on September 27, 2012 c.
• Agreement for transition and national parliamentary and government stability of Catalonia c.
• Declaration of sovereignity and of the right to decide of the Catalan nation