Catalonia says “no” to independence for the first time in survey – Trade

Catalonia says "no" to independence for the first time in survey – Trade

Barcelona. The “no” win by one tenth to “yes” if you hold a independence referendum in Catalonia , according to a survey released today in Barcelona, ​​one month after the symbolic consultation that took place in the northeastern region of Spain.

This is the first time this has happened since 2012 but the result is very close. 45.3 percent of respondents is opposed to Catalonia is an independent state, while 44.5 percent are in favor.

According to the survey by the Center for Opinion Studies of the Generalitat (Government of Catalonia), 36 percent of the citizens of the region opt for total independence, while 28 percent prefer that the region will become a state within a Spain federal.

The survey comes one month after the symbolic sovereignty and non-binding consultation held in the region. In it, they voted more than two million people, of which 80 were in favor of secession.

With 7.5 million inhabitants, Catalonia is one of the strongest regions economically Spain . The independence movement grew in recent years, in the context of the economic crisis that plagues the country.

The president of the Catalan government, Artur Mas , introduced a few days ago a roadmap for independence in a year and a half , which passes through the holding of regional elections in plebiscitary key.

According to the survey released today, if this happened would be a dead heat between the party that now governs Catalonia with the head Mas, CiU, and its partners in the regional parliament, the independence Republicans ERC.

The leaders of both bands met Today in private to try to approximate positions ahead of the elections occur together, having had some disagreements in recent months.

Since 2011 there have been several mass Catalonia independence demonstrations, although the percentage of Catalans who is in favor of secession is unclear. The surveys range from 35 to 55 percent.

The Spanish government of Mariano Rajoy, contrary to the holding of a referendum, it challenged the official voting convened facing the November 9 Mas. It suspended by the Constitutional Court, the Catalan president chose to hold a non-binding or official inquiry

. Source: DPA