As protests mount against Madrid, Catalan parliament declares independence
By
Alejandro López
28 October 2017
As thousands of pro-secessionist protesters gathered outside, the regional parliament of Catalonia on Friday voted for a resolution on independence from Spain and the start of a “constituent process” to draft a new constitution for the Catalan Republic.
The balloting was carried out secretly so as to avoid prosecutions by the Spanish government. The independence resolution, declaring “a Catalan republic as an independent, sovereign, democratic and social state,” was passed with 70 votes in favor. These came from the secessionist parties—the Democratic European Party of Catalonia (PDeCat), the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and the pseudo-left Candidatures of Popular Unity (CUP)—with two abstentions within the separatist camp. The Podemos-backed Catalonia Yes We Can (CSQP) cast 10 votes against. Fifty-three lawmakers from Citizens, the Catalan Socialist Party and the Popular Party walked out of the chamber, branding the resolution illegal.
Outside the parliament, tens of thousands of pro-secessionist protestors waved estelada independence flags and placards demanding freedom for the two arrested separatist leaders, Jordi Sanchez of the Catalan National Assembly and Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Cultural. They cheered the announcement of the vote, chanting “Independence,” “The streets will always be ours” and “Not one step back.” In a room adjacent to the parliament, 200 pro-secessionist mayors celebrated the declaration.
Hours later, the Spanish government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced the Article 155 measures approved by the Senate the same day. These include the imposition of a regional government by Madrid, the removal of…