{"id":23025,"date":"2013-01-23T23:35:32","date_gmt":"2013-01-23T22:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.presstv.ir\/detail\/2013\/01\/23\/285209\/spains-catalonia-declares-sovereignty\/"},"modified":"2013-01-23T23:35:32","modified_gmt":"2013-01-23T22:35:32","slug":"spains-catalonia-declares-sovereignty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/breaking-news\/spains-catalonia-declares-sovereignty\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain\u2019s Catalonia declares sovereignty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Catalan separatist merchandise is displayed at a stall in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain. (file photo)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The parliament of Spain\u2019s northeastern region of Catalonia has approved a declaration of the region\u2019s sovereignty as a major step towards its independence from Spain.<\/p>\n

The non-binding resolution was passed on Wednesday by 85 votes in favor, 41 against, and two abstentions, the Associated Press reported.<\/p>\n

The declaration, which states that the people of Catalonia have a democratic right to decide on their sovereignty, sets up a potential showdown with the central government in Madrid.<\/p>\n

Catalonia, one of the most developed regions in Spain, already enjoys a wide degree of autonomy, but the country\u2019s economic crisis has fuelled Catalan nationalism.<\/p>\n

\n

Growing Catalan separatism is a huge challenge for Spain’s conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is trying to avoid getting bailed out by its European Union neighbors.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\nRajoy says a referendum on secession is unconstitutional and hurts all Spaniards, who are already suffering in a recession with the unemployment rate higher than 25 percent.<\/p>\n

The approximate 16 billion euros Catalonia pays Madrid in annual taxes is more than it gets back from the central government.<\/p>\n

In addition, the autonomous region owes around 40 billion euros in debt, which has forced regional authorities to introduce spending cuts in healthcare and education.<\/p>\n

Many Catalans believe their economy would be more prosperous on its own, complaining that a high portion of their taxes goes to the central government in Madrid.<\/p>\n

Catalonia, which consists of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona, accounts for one-fifth of Spain\u2019s economic output.<\/p>\n

Spain\u2019s 17 autonomous regions manage their own budgets and are responsible for health and education policies and other areas of public spending.<\/p>\n

Battered by the global financial downturn, Spain\u2019s economy collapsed into recession in the second half of 2008, taking with it millions of jobs.<\/p>\n

MN\/MHB<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Catalan separatist merchandise is displayed at a stall in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain. (file photo)<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The parliament of Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia has approved a declaration of the region’s sovereignty as a major step towards its independence from Spain.<\/p>\n

The non-binding resolution was passed on Wednesday by 85 votes in favor, 41 against, and two abstentions, the Associated Press reported.<\/p>\n

The declaration, which states that the people of Catalonia have a democratic right to decide on their sovereignty, sets up a potential showdown with the central government in Madrid.<\/p>\n

Catalonia, one of the most developed regions in Spain, already enjoys a wide degree of autonomy, but the country’s economic crisis has fuelled Catalan nationalism.<\/p>\n

\n

Growing Catalan separatism is a huge challenge for Spain’s conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is trying to avoid getting bailed out by its European Union neighbors.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\nRajoy says a referendum on secession is unconstitutional and hurts all Spaniards, who are already suffering in a recession with the unemployment rate higher than 25 percent.<\/p>\n

The approximate 16 billion euros Catalonia pays Madrid in annual taxes is more than it gets back from the central government.<\/p>\n

In addition, the autonomous region owes around 40 billion euros in debt, which has forced regional authorities to introduce spending cuts in healthcare and education.<\/p>\n

Many Catalans believe their economy would be more prosperous on its own, complaining that a high portion of their taxes goes to the central government in Madrid.<\/p>\n

Catalonia, which consists of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona, accounts for one-fifth of Spain’s economic output.<\/p>\n

Spain’s 17 autonomous regions manage their own budgets and are responsible for health and education policies and other areas of public spending.<\/p>\n

Battered by the global financial downturn, Spain’s economy collapsed into recession in the second half of 2008, taking with it millions of jobs.<\/p>\n

MN\/MHB<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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