Dramatic independence protests in Catalonia
- 1/13
A pro-independence protestor sits in front of Catalonia's regional parliament as lawmakers voted inside, in Barcelona
REUTERS - 2/13
A pro-independence protestor sits in front of other demonstrators next to Catalonia's regional parliament as lawmakers voted inside, in Barcelona,
REUTERS - 3/13
Catalonia's President Artur Mas waves to supporters after voting in the regional parliament in Madrid
REUTERS - 4/13
Pro-independence protestors shout slogans during a vote in the Catalonia regional parliament in Barcelona
Reuters - 5/13
A pro-independence protestor shouts in front of Catalonia's regional parliament as lawmakers voted inside, in Barcelona
REUTERS - 6/13
A pro-independence protestor stands surrounded by red smoke coming from a firemen protest in front of Catalonia's regional parliament as lawmakers voted inside, in Barcelona
REUTERS - 7/13
A pro-independence supporter for Catalonia stages a protest in front of the regional parliament during a vote to petition the central government to allow a referendum
REUTERS - 8/13
A demonstrator against independence for Catalonia holds a sign in front of Catalonia's regional parliament as lawmakers votes in Barcelona
REUTERS - 9/13
A pro-independence protester sits in front of Catalonia's regional parliament as lawmakers voted inside, in Barcelona
REUTERS - 10/13
Photos of the day - January 16, 2014
REUTERS/Albert Gea - 11/13
Catalonia's President Artur Mas waves to supporters after voting in the regional parliament in Madrid
REUTERS - 12/13
Protestors for and against independence shout slogans during a vote in the Catalonia regional parliament in Barcelona
REUTERS - 13/13
A pro-independence protestor sits in front of Catalonia's regional parliament as lawmakers voted inside, in Barcelona
REUTERS
Updated
Lawmakers in the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia voted to seek a referendum on breaking away from Spain on Thursday, Jan. 16, setting themselves up for a battle with an implacably opposed central government in Madrid. The Catalan Parliament in Barcelona voted 87 to 43, with 3 abstentions, to send a petition to the national parliament seeking the power to call a popular vote on the region's future.
The independence movement in Catalonia, which has its own language and represents a fifth of Spain's national economy, is a direct challenge to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who has pledged to block a referendum on constitutional grounds.