Spain refuses to sanction Catalan independence vote in 2014

The president of Spain's regional government of Catalonia said yesterday he wants to hold an independence referendum on November 9, 2014, but the Spanish government immediately refused to sanction the vote.

Artur Mas announced in the Catalan capital Barcelona that the referendum would ask the region's voters if they want Catalonia to be a state and, if so, should it be independent.

Mas did not clarify the distinction between a state and an independent state. However, the questions appeared to open a door for those nationalists who want Catalonia to have the structure of a state but remain a part of Spain, possibly along the lines of Puerto Rico and the United States.

Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz Gallardon responded to Mas' announcement, saying a referendum would be illegal and would not be allowed.

Spain's constitution says only the central government in Madrid can call a referendum, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy recently rejected a request by Mas to allow one. The government has not said what it might do to prevent a ballot.

Mas said the referendum date was set almost a year away so as to give ample time for negotiations with Madrid on "the way to stage the consultation legally." Polls indicate that Catalans are roughly evenly split on independence. The European Union and Nato have warned Catalonia it would be excluded if it seceded.