Spain’s constitutional court has suspended a resolution by Catalonia’s regional parliament calling a referendum on independence next year.<br /><br /> In a press release, the court said it was provisionally suspending the resolution before pronouncing a definitive judgement within five months.<br /><br /> Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has pledged to hold such a vote, whether or not Madrid agrees. The regional parliament with its separatist majority – 72 votes out of 135 – subsequently approved his plan on October 6.<br /><br /> Relations between Madrid and Barcelona have become more strained since Spain’s conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy came to power in 2011.<br /><br /> His government has indicated it is willing to discuss autonomy in matters such as finance and infrastructure. But it draws the line at moves towards self-determination. <br /><br /> Spanish court suspends Catalonia independence vote https://t.co/cElTdLRz02 pic.twitter.com/hxyVA1o3ma— The Local Spain (@TheLocalSpain) December 14, 2016<br /><br /> In November 2014 Catalonia held a symbolic, non-binding vote on independence – it too came after the constitutional court banned a referendum.<br /><br /> More than 80 percent backed independence but only around two-fifths of eligible voters took part.<br /><br /> Opinion polls have suggested the wealthy northeastern region is roughly divided in half over splitting from Spain.<br /><br /> As the economy has struggled in recent years many people resent paying taxes to Madrid to subsidise poorer areas.<br /><br /> Spain politicising courts to block referendum, says Catalan minister | World news | The Guardian https://t.co/pmqVtlHvRs— The Guardian (@guardian) December 14, 2016<br />
