Catalans vote in symbolic independence referendum

A section of the population of Catalonia went to the polls on the 13 December 2009 in a symbolic vote on independence. Organisers hoped the plebiscite would underscore Catalonia's desire for even more autonomy from Madrid.

The vote on Catalonian independence was not legally binding, but its backers hope that it will put pressure on the region's political parties to call for a real referendum on secession in the future.

Some 94% of those who voted backed independence. But the vote was condemned by critics. Only one in 10 of Catalonia's residents were invited to vote, and they were in known pro-independence regions.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 13.12.09: Spain's Catalonia region in symbolic independence vote http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8410730.stm

France24, 13.12.09: Catalans vote in symbolic referendum on independence http://www.france24.com/en/20091213-catalonia-independence-referedum-spain-vote-minority-eu

ESO: Background information: Catalonia pays homage to independence http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalonia-pays-homage-to-independence/

ESO: Background information: Catalan vote puts Spain's key self-rule charter to test http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalan-vote-puts-spains-key-self-rule-charter-to-test/

EurActiv, 14.12.09: Catalonia independence referendum fails http://www.euractiv.com/culture/catalonia-independence-referendu-news-223150

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