Catalan Towns Vote For Independence

THE movement in support of Catalan independence received a powerful boost last month when residents in 167 towns and villages voted overwhelmingly for a “social, democratic and independent Catalan state” in symbolic referenda.
Although the poll, held on 13 December, was non-binding, the massive ‘Yes’ vote by hundreds of thousands of people – 94% of those who voted – reflects the growing support at all levels of Catalan society for independence from Spain.
Areas that voted represented about 15% of Catalonia, a nation of 11 million people, and voter turnout was about 30%.
The towns that had organised the poll did so despite Madrid’s opposition, which the Government tried to portray as scornful indifference. The poll followed a similar non-binding referendum held on 13 September in the small town of Arenys de Munt, home to 8,000 people.
Speaking to An Phoblacht this week about the September vote, Catalan independence activist Lluís Sales i Favà said:
“More than an isolated event, the Arenys referendum gives us some clues on the current Catalan atmosphere. Many political commentators have cited it as part of the death throes of the current political system.”