BREAKING: Catalonia parliament vote for independence from Spain
According to emerging reports, Catalonia's parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, and proclaim themselves a republic.
The news comes after the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, warned that the region would ultimately face the repercussions of a violation of laws should Catalan lawmakers pass the vote.
In a 135-strong assembly, 70 votes went in favour of independence while 10 went against and two were abstentions.
Historical. #Catalonia's parliament is voting for independence now. The power of democracy is the fuel of freedom.
— Mikko Kärnä (@KarnaMikko) October 27, 2017
The vote is likely to be declared illegal by Spain's constitutional court.
It is understood that the Socialist Party, the People’s Party (PP) and Ciudadanos exited the chamber prior to the vote in protest at the impending ballot.
