Catalan Parliament Declares Independence From Spain as US and Germany dissociates

Thousands of people who have gathered outside Catalonia’s parliament building in support of the region’s independence bid cheered and danced after the parliament passed a motion saying it wanted to establish an independent Catalan Republic.

The crowds had watched the voting process and the counting live on big screens.

Regional President Carles Puigdemont and Vice President Oriol Junqueras exchanged congratulatory embraces and handshakes after the vote, which saw 70 out of 135 votes in favor of independence, 10 against and 2 blank ballots. Most opposition lawmakers had left the chamber in protest moments before the vote.

The two leaders were among the members of the regional government who cast votes in the parliamentary chamber Friday.

Catalonia’s regional parliament has passed a motion saying they are establishing an independent Catalan Republic.

Separatist lawmakers erupted in applause as the vote was approved with 70 votes in favor of independence, 10 against and 2 blank ballots. Most opposition lawmakers had left the chamber in protest moments before the vote.

Spain opposes the independence bid and the national government in Madrid is readying measures to take over control of the northeastern region. No country has expressed support for the secession bid.

The motion calls for beginning an independence process that includes drafting Catalonia’s new top laws and opening negotiations “on equal footing” with Spanish authorities to establish cooperation.
The UK will not recognise the Catalan parliament's decision to declare independence
from Spain, Downing Street says.
Theresa May's official spokesman said the declaration was based on a vote that had been
declared illegal.
He added that the UK wanted to see the unity of Spain preserved.
The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish
parliament has approved direct rule over the region.

The UK prime minister's spokesman said in a statement: "The UK does not and will not recognise
the unilateral declaration of independence made by the Catalan regional parliament."
"It is based on a vote that was declared illegal by the Spanish courts. We continue to want to see the
rule of law upheld, the Spanish constitution respected, and Spanish unity preserved."
Catalan MPs backed the independence motion 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by the opposition.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return "law,
democracy and stability" to Catalonia.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson earlier offered his support to the Spanish PM.
After a meeting with Portugal's foreign minister in Lisbon, he said: "We don't think, as far as we
understand the matter, that the referendum on independence was well-founded in law.
"Therefore we remain very clear in our view that we should uphold the constitutional integrity and
sovereignty of our Spanish friends and that's really our commitment and our pledge."