The President of the Catalan Government, Carles Puigdemont, announced today that the referendum on Catalonia’s political future will be held on October 1^st, 2017. Voters will be asked the yes/no question, "Do you want Catalonia to become an independent country in the form of a Republic?".

 

Following the extraordinary Executive Council meeting held today at the Palau de la Generalitat, President Puigdemont and the Vice-president and Minister the Economy and Finance, Oriol Junqueras, delivered an official statement from the Orange-Tree Courtyard announcing the date and question of the referendum on Catalan independence.

 

During the statement, the President criticised the Spanish state for failing to come up with an alternative solution and although talks did occur “a politicized Constitutional Court ruling ended dialogue, pact and agreement”. “Over the years, we have always offered suggestions, and they have always been rejected”, he explained.

 

In his concluding remarks, President Puigdemont affirmed that “it is time for Catalans to decide their future. It is in our hands to prove that democracy unites us all above the legitimate and healthy discrepancies that characterise mature and convivial societies”. In this regard, Puigdemont assured that people of Catalonia “are able to decide for themselves” and will respect the result of the referendum.