Spain’s government on Tuesday rejected Catalonia’s calls for self-determination after more than 2 million people took part in a symbolic vote on independence for the region.
Catalonia leader Artur Mas reached out to Madrid for talks on a “definitive” and binding vote, but the national government, which had tried to ban Sunday’s ballot, dug in its heels.
“The right to self-determination ... is not possible, neither under our constitution nor in any of the other democracies around us,” Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria told parliament.
Demands for greater autonomy for the rich northeastern region have grown over recent years, fanned by Madrid’s resistance and the recent economic crisis.
Catalonia accounts for a fifth of Spain’s economy, but also about 6 percent of its debts, according to official figures.
Mas said he had written to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Tuesday inviting him “to set the conditions for a dialogue that is permanent and as constructive as possible.”
The ultimate aim is to hold “a definitive and politically binding consultation” vote, Mas added.
Rajoy fiercely opposed the symbolic vote and has not reacted since the polls, in which 1.86 million people voted for independence.
Mas had hoped the vote would strengthen his hand in trying to force concessions from Rajoy, who has vowed to defend the unity of Spain as it recovers from recession.
However, Madrid showed little sign of bending on Tuesday, with some members of the ruling Popular Party wanting to go after Mas in the courts.
“If what you want is independence for Catalonia, it will be difficult for us to come to an agreement,” Santamaria told the senate. “Neither this party nor this government will vote for an agreement on secession.”
The dispute looked set to drag on. Mas did not rule out calling a snap regional election to be fought exclusively on the independence issue.
He said he would hold talks over the coming weeks with other Catalan political parties to gauge support for such a move.
Meanwhile, state prosecutors are taking their time investigating whether Catalan authorities breached court injunctions by opening polling stations in public buildings.
Mas’ regional government said on Monday that 2.3 million people took part in the vote.
There was no official electoral roll, but the regional government said 5.4 million of Catalonia’s 7.5 million residents were eligible to vote.
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