Catalonia and Spain take stock ahead of looming referendum

The Catalan and Spanish governments are holding their breath ahead of the apparently inevitable clash during the coming weeks with regard to the referendum planned for October 1. But how the juridical and political test of wills will unfold is still unclear. Both sides are drawing up their strategies, but neither of them have yet shown their cards.

The Parliament has delayed proceedings on the referendum bill, written by the pro-independence parties, for a few days. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Spanish government ruled out the suspension of the Catalan self-government, but is waiting for further developments before deciding on as yet undisclosed action.

Waiting for the right moment to put forward the referendum bill

Activity in the Catalan parliament resumed Wednesday after the summer recess. Its Bureau met in the morning with the referendum bill—which had been registered before the break—on the table. They had to decide whether to admit it for processing by the chamber, although the Spanish Constitutional Court had warned the body that they might face criminal charges if they gave their approval.

However, the independence-controlled Bureau did not tackle the controversial bill in their meeting. Lawmakers and the executive might be waiting for a more favorable moment over the coming days to go ahead with the bill or they might be drawing up an alternative action. Bureau president Carme Forcadell said that the postponement is due to the bill’s complexity and to the “judicialization of politics”. What is certain is that the referendum is set for October 1 and still needs some legal framework before it can be convened.

Spanish government looking for measures to prevent Catalans from voting

At the same time, the Spanish government is set to meet exceptionally this Wednesday evening to try to sort out the chaos at the Barcelona airport. President Rajoy and his ministers were ready to react should the Catalan Parliament Bureau have admitted the referendum law to the chamber. As that was not the case, they will wait for further movements by the Catalan side.