Catalans are set to go to the polls next month. Once again, independence for the autonomous region is on the agenda.<br /><br /> The region is one of 17 in Spain which have its own government and parliament.<br /><br /> Catalan authorities are in charge of the courts, police and education.<br /><br /> Last week, Catalan officials presented plans for a future Catalan tax agency and adopted a decree paving the way for a public credit institution to be turned into a Catalan central bank.<br /><br /> Catalonia is one of the richest parts of Spain; it accounts for 20 percent of the country’s GDP with strong manufacturing and service sectors.<br /><br /> That is why supporters of Catalan independence say the region should split from Spain.<br /><br /> As an independent country, it would have total control over its own budgetary and fiscal affairs.<br /><br /> 80 percent backed independence in a referendum last year, but the result was not recognised by Madrid. <br /><br /> The president of Catalonia, Artur Mas, sees the next elections as a fresh vote on independence.
