Catalonia makes a concrete proposal for an independence referendum for the first time Pentagon: Symptoms of the Havana syndrome appeared at the NATO summit

The government of Catalonia has for the first time presented a concrete proposal for a referendum on the region’s secession from Spain.

“A vote is possible, it is only a matter of political will”regional president Pere Aragonès said in Barcelona on Tuesday. Propose a clear question that can only be answered with yes or no: “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state?”

Such a referendum could take place on the basis of Article 92 of the Constitution, Aragonès said. Accordingly, “political decisions of particular importance” may be subject to a referendum. This should be from King Felipe VI. are convened on the proposal of the head of government, after approval by parliament.

However, the proposal was immediately rejected by members of the central government. They are “absolutely against it,” said presidential minister Félix Bolaños. Government spokesperson Pilar Alegría spoke about an announcement Aragonés made with a tactical view of the May 12 parliamentary elections in Catalonia.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has promised the separatists, among other things, amnesty for anyone who came into conflict with the law during the failed divorce attempt in 2017. However, he continues to rule out an independence referendum. Aragonès said Sánchez had long ruled out an amnesty. Sánchez’s minority government relies on the votes of the ‘Catalanistas’ in parliament.

In addition to the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) in Aragonès, other Catalan parties are also seeking the region’s secession from Spain. This includes the conservative junts of Carles Puigdemont, who fled into exile in Belgium in 2017. The 61-year-old recently announced that he would stand as the Junts’ top candidate in the regional elections. (rbu/sda/dpa)