Catalonia votes for independence from Spain

A symbolic referendum having no legal force was held in Catalonia on Sunday. Over 80% of its participants voted for independence from Spain, BBC reports. 2 million 250 thousand Catalonians participated in the voting. 5 million 400 thousand people have the right to vote.

Catalonian leader Artur Mas thinks that the symbolic referendum was a success. The voting was senseless and futile, the Spanish authorities announced.  

Catalonia was going to hold a real referendum. However, the Constitutional Court of Spain blocked the right to hold a referendum for five months after the Spanish government had asked for it.

Photo: Reuters