Spain: A Declaration of Catalan Independence Could Be on Its Way

Catalonia continues to take steps toward a unilateral declaration of independence. On Oct. 4, the region's pro-independence parties, Junts pel Si and the Popular Unity Candidacy, announced that the Catalan parliament will hold an extraordinary session on Oct. 9. While the official motive of the session is to discuss the results of the referendum that took place on Oct. 1, the pro-secession forces could use the meeting to declare independence. According to a law passed Sept. 7 by the Catalan parliament (which Spain's Supreme Court declared unconstitutional shortly thereafter), the regional legislature has to declare independence if people vote in favor of secession. On Oct. 1, 90 percent of voters supported independence....