Rajoy will meet with the new Socialist leader two days before talking to the Catalan President

A so-much awaited meeting between the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, and the President of the Catalan Government, Artur Mas, was finally announced on the 22 July 2014 for the 30 July 2014.

According to the Catalan News Agency the two leaders were due to discuss the institutional and social affairs related to the economic crisis but that they should also talk about the organisation of a self-determination vote in Catalonia. However, Mr Rajoy had rejected to talk about it, as he considered it 'an absurd' debate, despite the fact that 80% of Catalans wanted to hold such a vote and it was the main topic in Catalonia's political agenda.

El País and the Catalan News Agency reported on the 30 July 2014 that no step forward took place as a result of the meeting.

Mr Mas said on the 5 August 2014 that his plan to hold a plebiscite on independence for Catalonia would go ahead in November 2014.

As in previous years major events were planned by those campaigning for independence for the country on Catalonia’s National Day (11 September 2014).

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Catalonia is following Scotland towards independence referendum in 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalonia-is-following-scotland-towards-independence-referendum-in-2014/

ESO: Background information: Central government to challenge Catalan assembly’s sovereignty declaration http://www.europeansources.info/record/central-government-to-challenge-catalan-assemblys-sovereignty-declaration/

CNA: Tag: Referendum http://www.catalannewsagency.com/tag/Referendum

ESO: Background information: Spanish parliament rejects Catalonia referendum http://www.europeansources.info/record/spanish-parliament-rejects-catalonia-referendum/

El País, 30.07.14: Spanish PM and Catalan premier fail to reach consensus on self-rule referendum http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/07/30/inenglish/1406727564_187930.html

CNA: News, 30.07.14: Rajoy doesn't offer an alternative and Catalan President will call self-determination vote anyway http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/rajoy-doesn-t-offer-an-alternative-and-catalan-president-will-call-self-determination-vote-anyway

El País, 05.08.14: 'There is no plan B' Mas tells press on independence vote http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/08/05/inenglish/1407247820_028073.html

CNA, 05.08.14: Catalan President: "We are ready" for the 9 November independence vote http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/catalan-president-we-are-ready-for-the-9-november-independence-vote

CNA, 01.08.14: Spanish PM admits that Catalonia's self-determination is not affecting the economy http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/spanish-pm-admits-that-catalonia-s-self-determination-is-not-affecting-the-economy

CNA, 01.08.14: The 3rd massive Catalan independence demonstration will be backed by events abroad http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/the-3rd-massive-catalan-independence-demonstration-will-be-backed-by-events-abroad

El País, 01.08.14: Catalan nationalists shun former leader Pujol to save sovereignty process http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/08/01/inenglish/1406893767_723731.html

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