Catalonia approves declaration of sovereignty; opens path to independence

Will opt for dialogue with the Spanish State, the European institutions and the international community as a whole, does the Parliament

23/01/2013 14:01:34

The Catalan Parliament passed a declaration of sovereignty that marks the beginning of an uncertain journey towards a referendum on the independence of the region in the northeast of Spain.

MADRID, Jan. 23. - The Parliament of Catalonia, northeastern Spain, today approved the declaration of sovereignty the autonomous community considers as "legal and political subject," which allows you to consolidate their right to decide their own future.

The vote, at the first session of the new term of the local chamber, after the elections of 25 November, approved the text submitted by the ruling Convergence and Union (CiU) and the Republican Left of Catalonia, on 10 January.

The first draft was expression expresses the goal of achieving the independence of Catalonia and Spain to create a new state within the European Union (EU), but the need to reach consensus with other political parties forced to delete that reference.

The document had 85 votes in favor (of CiU, ERC, Catalan United Left-Greens (ICV) and Unidad Popular Bid (CUP), and 41 against the Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC), Partido Popular (PP) and Citizens . There were two abstentions.

PSC, five of his deputies and two members did not vote more than CUP did not attend the meeting for medical reasons.

The document states that the goal is to "make the exercise of the right to decide" and that "the people of Catalonia have, for reasons of democratic legitimacy, political subject matter of legal and sovereign."

Both formations have defended democratic legitimacy for the exercise of the right to decide "especially ensuring the plurality of choices and respect for all, through deliberation and dialogue within Catalan society".

"They bet on dialogue and negotiation with the Spanish State, the European institutions and the entire international community," the statement said.

[link to translate.google.com]