Catalans overwhelmingly back independence in largely consequence-free referendum


On Sunday, Catalans in and outside of the semi-autonomous northeastern region of Spain voted in an unsanctioned referendum on seceding from Spain. According to Joana Ortega, vice president of Catalonia, more than 2 million people cast ballots in the "consultation of citizen," and 80.72 percent of them backed full independence, according to nearly complete results.
Iframe Code
"We have earned the right to a referendum," regional president Artur Mas told a cheering crowd in Barcelona — in recognition that this was not, legally speaking, a referendum. Unlike September's vote in Scotland, Catalonia didn't actually have to decide on whether to sever ties with Spain. Also, since Spain's Constitutional Court declared Catalonia's proposed official (but still nonbinding) referendum illegal, Sunday's vote was organized and run by grassroots pro-independence groups, not the regional government.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Catalonia's independence movement has a long history, including a period of regional linguistic and cultural repression under longtime Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. Now, along with cultural reasons, Catalonia has financial incentives to leave Spain — the wealthy region sends more to the central government than it receives.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The rise of the performative male
Talking Point What the latest internet trope tells us about gender roles, dating and male illiteracy
-
5 cracking cartoons about the new Cracker Barrel logo
Cartoons Artists take on MAGA designs, real issues, and more
-
Should you downsize for retirement? Here's what to consider.
The Explainer Moving to a smaller place may seem easier, but there are also some real benefits to staying put
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodus
Speed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official says
Speed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judges
Speed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policing
Speed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Speed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates
-
Abrego released from jail, faces Uganda deportation
Speed Read The wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego García is expected to be detained at an ICE check-in and deported to Uganda