Catalonia to hold independence vote days after Kurdistan’s referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Catalonia is expected on Wednesday to approve a decision to hold a referendum on Oct. 1, 2017, on whether to declare independence from Spain.

Despite objections from the Spanish government who say the move is illegal, Catalan lawmakers are set to vote on laws supporting the referendum.

Lawmakers are confident the orders will be accepted due to pro-independence parties having a majority representation in the regional parliament, Reuters reported.

Head of the regional government Carles Puigdemont told reporters there would be no “minimum turnout requirement to make the result of the vote binding.”

He added ballot boxes, voting sheets, and an electoral census was ready.

According to Reuters, the Catalan parliament will be able to declare independence from Spain within 48 hours of a “yes” vote.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday said the government objected the move and would do all it could to prevent the vote from taking place.

“In one day, they hope to do away with the constitution and national sovereignty,” he said at a news conference. “They will not do it.”

“No one can do away with Spanish democracy,” Rajoy added.

Similar to the Kurdistan Region’s aspirations of independence from Iraq, the majority of Catalans want to exercise their right to vote on whether to split from Spain.

The Region has already begun preparations to hold their independence vote on Sep. 25, setting up online registrations for the diaspora population as well.

Despite objections from neighboring countries, as well as the United States, senior Kurdish officials have insisted the vote will take place.

Editing by Ava Homa