Lawmakers bring independence declaration to Catalan parliament floor

Everything is set for Catalan lawmakers to vote on independence today in Parliament. Pro-independence groups brought to the floor in the morning a motion with the declaration of independence which was symbolically signed by MPs two weeks ago. "WE HEREBY CONSTITUTE the Catalan Republic as an independent, sovereign, legal,  democratic, socially-conscious state," the text reads. 

The text also includes a series of measures which would immediately put the new state into effect, including the enforcement and the issuing of official Catalan documents, as well as the ability to request Catalan documentation.

However, the opposition will not take it lying down, but plan to use all parliamentary resources in order to prevent the vote from taking place. The session was due to start at noon but it has already been delayed because opposition parties have asked the parliament bureau to reconsider allowing a vote on independence.