Catalonia to call off independence referendum

Parties supporting the Catalonia self-determination vote scheduled for the 9 November 2014 met on the 13 October 2014 in Barcelona to discuss whether to carry on the consultation vote as it was currently planned or to launch instead an alternative way in order to allow Catalans to have their say on their collective future. This discussion was in the context of opposition from the Spanish government to the announced self-determination process.

The 'alternative way' was due to be disclosed on the 14 October 2014 by the Catalan President, Artur Mas. The Spanish Government already had said on the 10 October 2014 that it would appeal against such an alternative to the Constitutional Court.

Mr Mas instead proposed organising another form of participatory process to let citizens express their views on independence for Catalonia. The suggestion was for something more like a survey without any legal implications.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 14.10.14: Catalonia to seek alternative to referendum http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/catalonia-seek-alternative-referendum-309145

BBC News, 13.10.14: Catalan independence: November referendum 'called off' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29607769

CNA, 14.10.14: Catalan Government rules out consultation vote as such but will propose an alternative for November 9 http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/catalan-government-rules-out-consultation-vote-as-such-but-will-propose-an-alternative-for-november-9

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

ESO: Find all further information in ESO on this topic http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=catalonia%20political%20situation%20referendum%20&searchOption=all

ESO: Background information: Catalans vow to hold referendum on independence from Spain http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalans-vow-to-hold-referendum-on-independence-from-spain/

El País, 13.10.14: Catalans vow to hold referendum on independence from Spain http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/13/inenglish/1413208088_312728.html

Deutsche Welle, 13.10.14: Catalonia to call off referendum vote http://dw.de/p/1DV9o

El País, 14.10.14: Catalan leader replaces referendum with plan for an unofficial vote http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/14/inenglish/1413277250_244250.html

BBC News, 14.10.14: Catalonia's Mas waters down Spain secession vote http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29612423

Euronews, 14.10.14: Spain: Catalonia drops ‘illegal’ independence referendum but plans ‘citizens’ consultation’ http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/14/spain-catalonia-drops-illegal-independence-referendum-but-plans-citizens-/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 14.10.14: Why political uncertainty will continue in Catalonia despite the decision to cancel the proposed independence referendum http://bit.ly/1sJMj7Y

EUObserver, 14.10.14: Catalonia downgrades independence 'consultation' after court ban https://euobserver.com/political/126056

The New York Times, 14.10.14: Catalonia Cancels Vote to Secede From Spain, but Calls for Nonbinding Ballot http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/15/world/europe/catalonia-cancels-referendum-on-independence-in-november.html

Deutsche Welle, 14.10.14: Catalans defiant as Spain blocks independence vote http://dw.de/p/1DVMD

BBC News, 14.10.14: Independence vote: Catalonia's quarrel with Spain http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29478415

CNA, 14.10.14: Catalan President announces alternative vote on November 9 although early elections will be 'the definitive referendum' http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/catalan-president-announces-alternative-vote-on-november-9-although-early-elections-will-be-the-definitive-referendum

El País, 15.10.14: Madrid must let separatists vote (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE152008-Madrid-must-let-separatists-vote

Kurier, 14.10.14: Mas has used the Catalans (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE151957-Mas-has-used-the-Catalans

CNA, 14.10.14: Madrid is waiting to react to new self-determination plans while parties supporting the previous vote are puzzled http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/madrid-is-waiting-to-react-to-new-self-determination-plans-while-parties-supporting-the-previous-vote-are-puzzled

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 15.10.14: Mariano Rajoy may have forced Artur Mas’ hand over a Catalan independence consultation, but the issue remains far from settled http://bit.ly/1D9IxYE

Blog: Open Europe, 14.10.14: Catalan government calls off independence referendum, but it's not the end of the story http://www.openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/catalan-government-calls-off.html

EurActiv, 15.10.14: Spain's Rajoy says 'chapter of dialogue' is opened with Catalonia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/elections/spains-rajoy-says-chapter-dialogue-opened-catalonia-309202

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