In Catalonia, the Independence Process Begins

Secessionist parties in Catalonia moved ahead with their push for independence on Nov. 9, when the regional parliament approved a "solemn proclamation" of the beginning of the independence process. While the document is not a formal declaration of independence, it is a declaration of intent to begin a process that allows the Catalan government to create institutions for a new republic and draft a constitution. As expected, the central government's immediate reaction was to announce it would take the issue to Spain's Constitutional Court. However, because the proclamation is largely symbolic and does not carry any concrete consequences, Catalonia's defiance will probably open a period of legal ambiguity for the autonomous region....