Catalan president calls early regional election

The President of Catalonia Artur Mas announced on the 14 January 2015 that voters in the region would take part in elections on the 27 September 2015.

In November 2014 Mr Mas had suggested that a cross-party pro-independence coalition would run in 2016 elections, allowing voters to show whether they supported independence for the region or not. However, for the brought forward 2015 election The Local.es suggested that pro-independence parties would not join forces to win the election.

Still, commentators suggested that the election would be seen as a 'de facto' referendum on independence from Spain.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Catalan self-determination referendum http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalan-self-determination-referendum/

ESO: Background information: Catalan leader maps out 18-month plan to secede from Spain / Rajoy’s PP meets in Barcelona and strongly criticises independence plans http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalan-leader-maps-out-18-month-plan-to-secede-from-spain-rajoys-pp-meets-in-barcelona-and-strongly-criticises-independence-plans/

France24, 14.01.15: Catalonia president calls early election in September 2015 http://www.france24.com/en/20150114-catalonia-president-calls-early-election-september-2015/

CNA, 14.01.15: Catalans to have ‘de facto’ referendum on independence via early elections on 27 September http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/catalans-to-have-de-facto-referendum-on-independence-via-early-elections-on-27-september

BBC News, 15.01.15: Defiant Catalonia leader Artur Mas calls early election http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30828191

EurActiv, 19.01.15: Catalonia takes election gamble to keep independence drive alive http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/catalonia-takes-election-gamble-keep-independence-drive-alive-311359

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