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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Catalan parliament has voted on Friday to establish an independent state.
“We declare the republic of Catalonia,” said MP Carles Riera. “This is a happy day.”
Thousands of people gathered outside the Parliament in Ciutadella park, Barcelona, to celebrate the historic day.
Parliament affirmed passed the declaration of independence by a 70-to-10 margin. Two ballots were blank.
The Spanish central government in Madrid is expected to impose direct rule on Friday night.
"I call on all Spaniards to remain calm," tweeted Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy. "The rule of law will restore legality to Catalonia."
Rajoy's government threatened to sack Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, his cabinet, and to hold snap elections for their replacements.
Most opposition lawmakers left the chamber in protest of the vote, which saw 70 out of 135 votesd in favor of independence, 10 against and 2 blank ballots.
The motion called for beginning an independence process that includes drafting Catalonia's new top laws and opening negotiations "on equal footing" with Spanish authorities to establish cooperation.
Catalonia held an referendum on October 1 in which 92 percent of ballots indicated 'Yes' for independence. Turnout was low with 43 percent of registered voters participating.
This is a developing story...
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from Rudaw http://ift.tt/2lpnym7
via Defense News
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