Strong Support For An Independent Catalonia

Catalonia's government is planning to press ahead with a vote on independence on Sunday, despite Spain's constitutional court agreeing to halt the planned referendum for the second time in quick succession. The Spanish government claims any vote on secession by any part of the country, including Catalonia, would be illegal according to the 1978 constitution.

After years of debate and legal disputes, the gap between Catalonia and the rest of Spain has widened considerably. Many Catalans feel they have been treated unequally by a Spanish state with an overly patriotic agenda. As a result, support for independence or "independentisme" has skyrocketed in recent years. Historically, support remained around the 15 percent mark but it has risen steadily since 2010. According to a poll from GESOP conducted in June, 44.1 percent of people in Catalonia would vote "Yes" to independence while 33.9 percent would would vote "No".

Due to the constitutional court's order, Sunday's vote will remain largely symbolic but Spain will nevertheless have to cope with a burgeoning independence movement in Catalonia, one of its most economically vital regions. Added to that will be a frustrated electorate, many of whom will feel they were denied their proper right to vote.