Spain to block Catalonia independence referendum / Catalan party leaders agree self-rule referendum questions

The head of the centre-right nationalist CiU Catalan government, Artur Mas, and the leaders of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC), the Initiative for Catalonia Greens (ICV) and the left-wing CUP party reached an agreement on the 12 December 2013 regarding the questions that would be posed were a referendum on self-rule for the northeastern region to be held. They want a referendum to be held on the 9 November 2013.

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed later on the same day to prevent Catalonia from holding its referendum.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy who was in Madrid for discussions with the government said he was 'confident' Spain would remain united.

He warned that any new independent state would have to apply to become a member of the European Union, subject to ratification by all member states.

• Primary Source

El País, 12.12.13: Catalan party leaders agree self-rule referendum questions http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/12/12/inenglish/1386856018_634934.html

ESO: Background information: Catalan pro-sovereignty parties seek deal for united ballot front http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalan-pro-sovereignty-parties-seek-deal-for-united-ballot-front/

Catalan News Agency,12.12.13: Catalonia agrees on its independence question to be voted on November 9, 2014 http://www.catalannewsagency.com/catalonia-independence/item/catalonia-agrees-on-its-independence-question-to-be-voted-on-november-9-2014?category_id=40

The Guardian, 12.12.13: Catalonia sets date for independence referendum, but Madrid vows to block it http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/12/catalonia-independence-referendum-madrid-block

Wikipedia: Catalan self-determination referendum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalan_self-determination_referendum

Euronews, 12.12.13: Legal battle lines drawn in row over proposed referendum on Catalonia independence http://www.euronews.com/2013/12/12/legal-battle-lines-drawn-in-row-over-proposed-referendum-on-catalonia-/

EurActiv, 13.12.13: Catalonia sets independence referendum, Madrid cries foul http://www.euractiv.com/elections/catalonia-sets-independence-refe-news-532337

EUObserver, 13.12.13: Madrid vows to block Catalonia referendum http://euobserver.com/political/122457

Euronews, 13.12.13: Spanish government condemns ‘illegality’ of Catalonia’s plans for a vote on independence http://www.euronews.com/2013/12/13/spanish-government-condemns-illegality-of-catalonia-s-plans-for-a-vote-on-/

European Council: President: Press Release, PRES/13/576: Remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, on Catalonia http://ue.eu.int/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/140072.pdf

Eldiario.es, 13.12.13: Catalonian state remains a mystery (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE135253-Catalonian-state-remains-a-mystery

Catalan News Agency, 13.12.13: Catalonia will ask Spanish Parliament to transfer referendum powers http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/catalonia-will-ask-spanish-parliament-to-transfer-referendum-powers

El País,13.12.13: Catalan ruling party sees elections as only alternative to self-rule vote http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/12/13/inenglish/1386948130_777958.html

Corriere della Sera, 17.12.13: Catalonia on the wrong path (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE135394-Catalonia-on-the-wrong-path

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 28.12.13: The “right to decide” in the Catalan independence debate is far more complex than commonly portrayed http://bit.ly/1jhFmHR

El País, 29.12.13: Premier Mas admits EU will expel an independent Catalonia http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/12/29/inenglish/1388346019_339159.html

El País, 30.12.13: Foreign Ministry mobilizes envoys against Catalan independence http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/12/30/inenglish/1388430390_954489.html

Catalan News Agency, 30.12.13: Mas to the Spanish Government: 'Let us vote' http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/mas-to-the-spanish-government-let-us-vote

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