The Catalan government yesterday gave up organizing a referendum on independence on November 9th. In the end, resistance from Madrid prevailed, judging the consultation unconstitutional. The announcement of the retreat came after a meeting of the president of Catalonia, Artur Mas, with the four parties in favor of the referendum which has been in preparation for over two years.
"The government has ascertained that the consultation cannot be held," Joan Herrera, director of Iniciativa per Catalunya-Verts, told the press. Mas announced that, also on November 9, an alternative form of popular consultation on independence will be held, "but it will not be based on the decree" signed to organize the referendum.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called Catalonia's decision "excellent news".
