Secessionist parties in Catalonia have wasted no time following the reconvening of the regional parliament.<br /><br /> The Junts pel Si bloc and leftist CUP declared the beginning of the process for independence from Spain with a nine-point road map they hope to pass in the Catalan assembly.<br /><br /> Declaration on the start of #Catalonia’s transition to independence. By JanneRiitakorpi https://t.co/Kkr0rJdLYD pic.twitter.com/MtWXUGsGHu— This is Catalonia (ThIsCatalonia) October 27, 2015<br /><br /> It will be debated until November 9. If approved, basic laws for founding an independent state will be decided on within 30 days, with a view to establishing a Catalan republic within 18 months.<br /><br /> Madrid reacts<br /><br /> Reacting to the statement a day after announcing the dissolution of parliament ahead of a December general election, Spain’s incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy once more reiterated his opposition to the idea of an independent Catalonia.<br /><br /> “This initiative can only qualified as an act of provocation, wh
