Spain: Catalan pro-independence campaign officially launched /update 2

Event

On Thursday, September 14, the campaign for the upcoming Catalan independence referendum, which will be held on October 1, was officially launched in Tarragona. The high-profile inaugural event was attended by Catalonia’s high representatives as well as some 8000 participants. The Catalan government announced it will cease sending weekly financial briefings to the central government, imposed by Madrid earlier in July in order to prove that public money was not being used to organize the referendum.

Context

The central government continues to denounce the referendum as illegal and illegitimate and has enforced a series of measures to block the vote. As of September 13, 712 of the region’s 947 mayors face a criminal probe for supporting the vote, as well as arrest if they fail to respond to a summons. Spanish courts have also banned the purchase of electoral equipment and the referendum website has been shut down. According to Catalan news, the Spanish Civil Guard raided regional printing offices to seize electoral ballots and prevent their production. Further reports suggest that Madrid has ordered electricity to be cut at polling stations on the day of the referendum.

Some 55,000 people across Catalonia have been selected to staff the 6300 polling stations, raising concerns among public servants that their jobs may be at risk if participating in the referendum. As a result, demonstrations and rallies are expected in the upcoming two weeks throughout Catalonia, particularly in the city of Barcelona. On September 11, approximately one million people took to the streets of Barcelona for Catalonia’s National Day in support of independence.

Advice

Individuals in Spain are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid demonstrations as a precaution.