Riots and brawls marked the referendum in Catalonia.
In Catalonia at 21:00 Kyiv polling stations were closed. A referendum on secession from Spain, local authorities have recognized as valid. The turnout was more than 70%. Details – in our online chronicle that spanned more than a day filled with events.
Preliminary results of the plebiscite
Supporters of independence gathered in Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona and going all night to follow the results of the vote.
Already results came from several sites – all more than 90% for secession. Only in the province a referendum was held almost five thousand polling stations.
Elections that cost the Catalans
More than 700 victims and possibly three dead in clashes with the police and Civil guard. This is the data of the Catalan government, which is spearheading a campaign for secession from Spain.
Apparently, the brutality with which the police acted, will have consequences for Madrid and complicate its dialogue with the separatists. In the court of Barcelona has already received a complaint from the government of Catalonia to the actions of the police and civil guard during the referendum.
That is, claims to Spain want to formalize and to use as an argument for secession.
The Reaction Of Madrid
Republican government for a long time did not comment on what is happening. However, and without a word eloquent seems the institution of criminal proceedings against the Catalan police for inaction (i.e. refusing to use force) in a referendum.
Later the situation was commented by the Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy. “Today in Catalonia there was no referendum on self-determination”, he said.
“The government insisted that the referendum will not take place, they’re the ones who promoted this challenge – I knew it all the time. They assumed this last week and very clearly recognized this yesterday and noted today that the referendum was illegal. Despite this, they decided to go further, ” said Rajoy.
“The vast majority of Catalans wanted to participate in the census of the separatists, and this is an indisputable fact”, – said the Prime Minister.
Rajoy did not criticize the security forces for the violence and said that they were just doing their job. He also declared readiness for dialogue with Catalonia, “but in the framework of the law.”
The Reaction Of Europe
The Deputy head of the European Parliament, the Austrian MP Ulrike Lunacek said he believes a referendum on the independence of Catalonia “in principle legitimate”.
“In principle, the referendum is legitimate, but, as shown by the example of Scotland, it must be agreed with Madrid. However, the Central government must finally end the embargo on dialogue”, – reads the statement of the Deputy head of the European Parliament.
Lunacek has called for de-escalation of the conflict. “I condemn the use of rubber bullets and batons of the Spanish power structures”, – said the MEP.
What’s next?
Before the referendum, Catalan government promised within 48 hours after end of voting to declare independence. Unless, of course, the results of the plebiscite will be in favor of supporters of the Department. However, given the brutality of the confrontation, which manifested itself on 1 October, the decision to “leave Spain” can be taken before.
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