Catalans say 'yes' to independence

Catalans voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence from Spain on Sunday in a referendum marred by violence, the Catalan government announced.cen

90 per cent of voters to leave Spain, local officials said, noting 2.26 million people, out of 5.3 million registered voters, had cast ballots, with a turnout of about 42 percent.

"On this day of hope and suffering, the citizens of Catalonia have earned the right to have an independent state in the form of a republic," Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont said in a televised address.

"My government, in the next few days will send the results of today's vote to the Catalan Parliament, where the sovereignty of our people lies, so that it can act in accordance with the law of the referendum," he added.

On the other hand, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the referendum was illegal.

"Today there has been no self-determination referendum in Catalonia. The rule of law remains in force with all its strength," he said in a televised address, adding that security forces had performed their duty in Catalonia and respected a court order to prevent voting from taking place

Source: BNA