The Latest on the Catalan parliament's vote to pave the way for an independence referendum (all times local):

Opposition lawmakers in Catalonia are contesting a decision by the head of the regional parliament to vote on a bill that paves the way for a controversial independence referendum.

The president of the Catalan parliament, Carme Forcadell, called for a recess in Wednesday's parliamentary meeting after heated discussions erupted following a last-minute decision to hold the vote on the so-called "referendum bill."

The referendum, planned for Oct. 1, would not be recognized by Spain's central authorities, who have vowed to use all legal measures to stop it.

Pro-independence Catalan lawmakers, who hold a majority in the regional parliament, want to vote on the bill after a 2-hour window for the opposition to introduce amendments. The opposition argues that the bill should be first vetted by a legal committee because it clashes with Spain's constitutional laws.

Catalan lawmakers are voting on a bill that will allow regional authorities to officially call an Oct. 1 referendum on a split from Spain, making concrete a years-long defiance of central authorities, who see the vote as illegal.

The so-called referendum bill was included at the last minute in the agenda of Wednesday's plenary meeting of the regional parliament, and is likely to be passed by a pro-independence majority later in the day, paving the way to formalize plans for the ballot.

The vote is not recognized by the Spanish government and most political parties at the national level. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to use all legal measures to ensure that it doesn't take place.

Catalonia is a prosperous region in northeastern Spain that already enjoys ample self-government. </s> The Latest on the Catalan parliament's vote to pave the way for an independence referendum (all times local):

The Catalonia region's parliament has cleared the way for an independence vote that Spain's government contends is illegal.

Catalan lawmakers passed a controversial bill that clears the way for an Oct. 1 secession vote despite fierce resistance from the political opposition and central authorities.

The votes of 72 pro-independence lawmakers were enough to pass the so-called "referendum bill" after more than 11 hours of debate that ended with 52 opposition members of parliament walking out in protest.

Regional president Carles Puigdemont's cabinet is expected to sign the decree officially calling for the vote on a binding independence referendum.

The leader of the main opposition party, Ciudadanos (Citizens), immediately announced that the party would seek a vote of no confidence against Puigdemont to force new regional elections.

Ten hours into a tense plenary session, Catalan lawmakers are still holding a heated debate on a controversial bill that lays the groundwork for an Oct. 1 referendum on independence from Spain.

The parliament chair on Wednesday rejected complaints by opposition parties about alleged procedural flaws.

Spain's central authorities in Madrid have already asked the country's constitutional court to punish members of the regional parliament for allowing the vote, and have vowed to strike down the "referendum law" for the northeastern region as soon as it's passed. That is expected later Wednesday.

The political crisis comes after years of defiance by pro-independence supporters in Catalonia and amid criticism of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative government in Madrid for letting the situation come to this.

Spain's deputy prime minister says the government has asked the country's constitutional court to nullify a parliamentary vote in Catalonia over a controversial referendum bill.

Soraya Saenz de Santamaria says there were severe flaws in the parliamentary procedures, adding that the Constitutional Court has previously ruled on the illegality of any step taken toward a referendum on Catalan secession.

She says Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has urged punitive measures to be taken against the chamber's speakers and other officials who allowed the bill to be included as part of Wednesday's tense session.

"Today's session has been an embarrassing show, a kick to democracy," Saenz de Santamaria has said in a televised press conference. "We are defending the rule of law in Spain and democracy in Catalonia."

Saenz de Santamaria also says that Spain's cabinet is ready to challenge the constitutionality of the bill in the country's top court f it is finally passed.

Tensions are running high among Catalan lawmakers as the regional parliament decided to vote on a bill that lays the ground for a controversial referendum on independence from Spain.

The referendum plan has created a deep political crisis because the country's constitution bans it. Central authorities have vowed to stop the vote.

The plenary meeting of Catalonia's parliament was halted twice because opposition lawmakers challenged the decision by a pro-independence majority to introduce the bill without allowing it to be vetted by a legal committee for clashes with Spain's constitutional laws.

After several attempts, a majority of lawmakers approved voting on the bill by skipping the legal procedures. The opposition claimed the legislative chamber was violating lawmakers' rights, and the socialist group announced it was lodging an appeal in Spain's Constitutional Court.

The vote on the bill is expected later Wednesday.

Opposition lawmakers in Catalonia are contesting a decision by the head of the regional parliament to vote on a bill that paves the way for a controversial independence referendum.

The president of the Catalan parliament, Carme Forcadell, called for a recess in Wednesday's parliamentary meeting after heated discussions erupted following a last-minute decision to hold the vote on the so-called "referendum bill."

The referendum, planned for Oct. 1, would not be recognized by Spain's central authorities, who have vowed to use all legal measures to stop it.

Pro-independence Catalan lawmakers, who hold a majority in the regional parliament, want to vote on the bill after a 2-hour window for the opposition to introduce amendments. The opposition argues that the bill should be first vetted by a legal committee because it clashes with Spain's constitutional laws.

Catalan lawmakers are voting on a bill that will allow regional authorities to officially call an Oct. 1 referendum on a split from Spain, making concrete a years-long defiance of central authorities, who see the vote as illegal.

The so-called referendum bill was included at the last minute in the agenda of Wednesday's plenary meeting of the regional parliament, and is likely to be passed by a pro-independence majority later in the day, paving the way to formalize plans for the ballot.

The vote is not recognized by the Spanish government and most political parties at the national level. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to use all legal measures to ensure that it doesn't take place.

Catalonia is a prosperous region in northeastern Spain that already enjoys ample self-government. </s> Image copyright Jaume Clotet Image caption Catalan President Carles Puigdemont signed the bill into local law almost immediately

Parliament in Spain's restive Catalonia region has approved an independence referendum on 1 October which Madrid has vowed to outlaw.

Separatist parties which hold a slim majority backed the referendum bill allowing for a vote on whether the wealthy region should leave Spain.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has asked the constitutional court to nullify it.

He was due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday and meet other party leaders.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Catalan MPs celebrated after the vote

His deputy earlier accused secessionists of trampling on democracy.

Spain's wealthy north-eastern region already has autonomous powers but the regional government says it has popular support for full secession.

The Catalan government has a majority in the regional parliament made up of the separatist Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) coalition and the left-wing CUP party.

Flag protest

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont signed the bill into local law almost immediately after the vote, when it was adopted with 72 votes in favour and 11 abstentions in the 135-seat chamber in Barcelona.

When the outcome was announced, separatist MPs broke into the official national anthem of Catalonia, Els Segadors.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Spanish unionist MPs did not stay for the vote

Unionist MPs from the regional branches of Mr Rajoy's Popular Party (PP), the Socialist Party and the centrist Ciudadanos party had left the chamber in protest before the vote, which followed a marathon debate.

PP members left Spanish and Catalan flags on seats behind them to show their disapproval. However, when an MP from the leftist party Podemos started removing the Spanish ones, she was rebuked by the Speaker, Carme Forcadell.

The decision has plunged Spain into a national crisis only three weeks after jihadist attacks in the heart of Catalonia left 16 people dead and more than 100 others wounded.

Image copyright EPA Image caption The leaders of Spain and Catalonia demonstrated unity in the wake of the Barcelona attacks

Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría condemned the Catalan leadership for carrying out "an act of force" and for acting more like "dictatorial regimes than a democracy".

The war of words intensified when Catalan President Carles Puigdemont accused her of threatening and insulting all Catalans.

Will the vote go ahead?

The pro-independence Catalan government has been preparing for the 1 October vote for months. In its bill announced on Wednesday it said a Yes vote would be followed within 48 hours by a declaration of independence.

Image copyright Carme Forcadell Image caption Catalan parliamentary Speaker Carme Forcadell tweeted a photo of Wednesday' voting display

Mr Puigdemont says the smallest of margins above 50% will be enough.

So the Spanish government is doing all it can to prevent the vote from taking place. However, an earlier vote in November 2014 did go ahead even after Spain's constitutional court declared it was not an official referendum.

Was Tuesday's vote legal?

The constitutional court argues that Spain's constitution does not allow regions to unilaterally decide on sovereignty.

Former Catalan leader Artur Mas was barred from office by a court earlier this year for running the 2014 vote.

Under a 2015 law, Spanish public servants can be suspended by the constitutional court if they ignore its rulings. Carles Puigdemont insists his position is governed by Catalan regulations and sees any attempt to suspend him as unacceptable.

Other public servants could also be fined and hit by temporary suspensions if they help run the vote.

Catalan leaders have already acted to replace officials not seen as sufficiently supportive of the vote. The head of the region's Mossos d'Esquadra police force, Albert Batlle, resigned from his post over the summer. </s> The Catalan government has voted in favour of a law to formalise the independence referendum of 1 October and the Spanish government says the new law is illegal, explains Steven Trypsteen, Economist at ING.

“Yesterday, the Catalan government published a bill to make the independence referendum official. After long debates, the Catalan parliament ratified the bill. The Catalan government has a majority in parliament (made up of the separatist Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) coalition and the left-wing CUP party). According to the bill, there is no minimum turnout requirement to make the result binding and the Catalan parliament will declare independence within 48 hours of a ‘yes’ vote.”

“During the day, Prime Minister Rajoy asked the Spanish constitutional court to cancel the bill when it is agreed. Prime Minister Rajoy did not make any statements after the vote. Nevertheless, last Monday the Prime Minister said the government would use all force to make sure the referendum would not be held. On 11 September, the Catalan national day, we can expect protests to take place.”

“While the organisation, let alone the outcome of the referendum, is still not a done deal, growing tensions between the Catalan and the Spanish government could cause some volatility on the bond market in coming weeks. The Spanish-German bond yield spread has already increased. That said, the strong growth of the Spanish economy should limit the potential spread widening.” </s> MADRID — The Latest on the independence bid for Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region (all times local):

A Spanish government spokesman says that Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy can’t discuss with Catalan authorities what could make him agree to a referendum on the region’s secession because the law simply doesn’t allow it.

Officials in Catalonia and the northeastern region’s capital, Barcelona, asked in a letter released on Friday for fresh dialogue on holding the vote with the government’s permission.

“The Prime Minister can’t make something illegal into something legal,” said Inigo Mendez de Vigo, who is Minister of Culture and the spokesman for Rajoy’s cabinet, when asked about the letter.

The central government says that a constitutional reform through a strong majority in the national parliament is the only avenue for a legal referendum.

Separatist politicians have vowed to hold the vote on Oct. 1 despite a ban by the country’s courts.

Spain’s finance minister says the central government has decided to take over payments of essential services in the northeastern region of Catalonia amid a controversial bid by politicians there to hold an independence referendum.

Cristobal Montoro says the government is also giving officials in Catalonia 48 hours to comply with a new system to scrutinize public payments by Catalonia to ensure that no public funds are being used on the illegal vote.

Montoro’s ministry ordered regional authorities back in July to send weekly spending reports instead of monthly reports. But on Thursday, Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras, who is in charge of economic affairs, said he would stop providing them because the scrutiny was politically motivated.

The extraordinary measures were justified, Montoro said, for the sake of budgetary stability in Catalonia and to defend Spain’s legal order.

Catalan officials are addressing a letter to Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy calling for negotiations to agree on a referendum on the northeastern region’s independence.

Spanish officials have rejected the unilateral vote planned for Oct. 1. Rajoy has said that a constitutional reform through a strong majority in the national parliament is the only avenue for a legal referendum.

Separatist politicians launched the Yes campaign on Thursday as they press ahead with the vote despite a ban by the country’s courts and a criminal investigation into three out of four Catalan mayors actively supporting it.

In the letter, President Carles Puigdemont and Barcelona mayor Ada Colau also say that Spain has launched “an offensive of repression without precedent.”

The letter says a copy is being sent to King Felipe VI. </s> MADRID (AP) — The Latest on the Catalan government’s bid to hold an independence referendum (all times local):

Spanish media are reporting that the country’s top court has preventively suspended the call for a referendum on Catalonia’s independence after accepting an appeal by central authorities in Madrid.

The move was widely expected after Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced the government was challenging both a controversial bill meant to legitimize the independence vote and a decree by the regional Catalan government summoning voters for the Oct. 1 ballot.

According to court regulations, the suspension lasts for 5 months while judges come up with a ruling.

The pro-independence coalition ruling in Catalonia, a prosperous region in northeastern Spain, claims that the universal right to self-determination overrules Spain’s laws.

Political parties in Catalonia’s parliament are engaged in a game of cat-and-mouse as opponents of the region’s independence from Spain keep derailing efforts by secessionists to open a debate on issues related to a planned referendum.

Thursday’s parliamentary session was repeatedly held up as anti-independence parties tabled motions which required lengthy discussions on procedural technicalities.

The parliament was scheduled to debate a law that would function as the transitional constitution of a new Catalan republic if local people vote “yes” to independence on Oct. 1.

Meanwhile, Spain’s national government in Madrid is throwing legal obstacles in the way of Catalonia’s breakaway ambitions, asking the Constitutional Court to rule on the legality of the ballot. The court may issue a decision after a meeting later Thursday.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says Spain’s government is asking the country’s constitutional court to suspend a bid by leaders in Catalonia to hold a referendum on independence from Spain on Oct. 1.

Rajoy made the announcement after an urgent meeting with members of his cabinet. He said the vote is illegal and an attack against Spain’s and Catalonia’s institutional order.

In a televised appearance, the conservative leader said the vote doesn’t have the democratic protections needed to be considered a referendum and promised it would not take place.

Rajoy also branded a parliamentary showdown on Wednesday to approve the referendum’s legal framework a “political perversion” by the leaders of the Catalan government.

Spain’s top prosecutor says criminal suits are being lodged to prosecute Catalan officials responsible for scheduling a vote on independence that authorities see as breaching the country’s top laws.

Chief state prosecutor Jose Manuel Maza says two different lawsuits are in the works, one that seeks to punish members of Catalonia’s parliament who allowed the debate and vote on the legal framework of the planned Oct. 1 referendum, and a separate one against the executive branch of the regional government, whose members officially called the referendum.

He said the officials could be charged, among other things, with disobedience, abuse of power and embezzlement.

The state prosecutor’s office has also instructed officials and police forces in Catalonia — the northeastern region whose capital is Barcelona — to investigate and stop any actions taken toward the celebration of the referendum.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s office says members of his cabinet are meeting Thursday to react to plans by Catalan leaders who have scheduled a vote on the region’s secession from Spain.

Rajoy is also discussing the crisis separately with leaders of the two main opposition parties, his office announced, in an effort to project political unity against the separatists’ defiance.

The government is seeking to stop the Oct. 1 vote by appealing to the country’s constitutional court, which has previously ruled that a referendum can only be called with the approval of central authorities. Other possible measures have not been disclosed.

Judges in Spain’s top court are also considering a request by Rajoy to punish members of the regional Catalan parliament who on Wednesday allowed the passing of a legal framework for the referendum. </s> MADRID (AP) - The Latest on the Catalan government's bid to hold an independence referendum (all times local):

Spain's top prosecutor says criminal suits are being lodged to prosecute Catalan officials responsible for scheduling a vote on independence that authorities see as breaching the country's top laws.

Catalonia regional President Carles Puigdemont, right, applauds next to vice-president Oriol Junqueras, left, after the voting during a plenary session at the Parliament of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Catalan lawmakers are voting on a bill that will allow regional authorities to officially call an Oct. 1 referendum on a split from Spain, making concrete a years-long defiance of central authorities, who see the vote as illegal. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Chief state prosecutor Jose Manuel Maza says two different lawsuits are in the works, one that seeks to punish members of Catalonia's parliament who allowed the debate and vote on the legal framework of the planned Oct. 1 referendum, and a separate one against the executive branch of the regional government, whose members officially called the referendum.

He said the officials could be charged, among other things, with disobedience, abuse of power and embezzlement.

The state prosecutor's office has also instructed officials and police forces in Catalonia - the northeastern region whose capital is Barcelona - to investigate and stop any actions taken toward the celebration of the referendum.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's office says members of his cabinet are meeting Thursday to react to plans by Catalan leaders who have scheduled a vote on the region's secession from Spain.

Rajoy is also discussing the crisis separately with leaders of the two main opposition parties, his office announced, in an effort to project political unity against the separatists' defiance.

The government is seeking to stop the Oct. 1 vote by appealing to the country's constitutional court, which has previously ruled that a referendum can only be called with the approval of central authorities. Other possible measures have not been disclosed.

Judges in Spain's top court are also considering a request by Rajoy to punish members of the regional Catalan parliament who on Wednesday allowed the passing of a legal framework for the referendum.

Members of the Catalan Popular Party display Spanish flags just before abandoning the session ahead of the voting during a plenary session at the Parliament of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Catalan lawmakers are voting on a bill that will allow regional authorities to officially call an Oct. 1 referendum on a split from Spain, making concrete a years-long defiance of central authorities, who see the vote as illegal. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) </s> Catalan lawmakers are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bid by Catalonia's ousted separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to form a new government, setting the stage for a fresh showdown with Spain's central government which removed him from office.

Puigdemont moved to Belgium shortly after Catalonia's parliament declared independence in October and he faces arrest if he returns to Spain for leading the secession bid in the wealthy northwestern region that is home to some 7.5 million people.

But last week the new speaker of the Catalan parliament nominated Puigdemont to lead Catalonia again, with the regional assembly set to begin debating on his candidacy at 3.00 pm (1400 GMT) under tight security.

Puigdemont's supporters have been encouraged to demonstrate outside of the assembly at that time, bearing paper masks with a likeness of his face which could be downloaded off the internet.

The Catalan parliament speaker maintained the session of parliament even though Spain's Constitutional Court ruled on Saturday -- in response to a lawsuit filed by the central government -- that Puigdemont must be present at the assembly to be chosen as the region's chief.

The court also warned that swearing in Puigdemont at a distance, by videoconference as some of his supporters have proposed, would not be valid.

And it ruled Puigdemont must ask a Supreme Court judge leading the investigation into his role in Catalonia's independence push for permission to attend the parliamentary session.

Puigdemont appealed the ruling and the Constitutional Court will begin considering his arguments on Tuesday at 1.00 pm (1200 GMT), just before the investiture debate in the Catalan parliament begins.

The parliament debate comes three months after the assembly's failed declaration of independence on October 27, which deeply divided Catalans and triggered Spain's worst political crisis since the country returned to democracy following the death of longtime dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy moved to stop the crisis by imposing direct rule on the semi-autonomous region, sacking its government including Puigdemont, dissolving parliament and calling snap elections.

But in a major setback for the central government, separatist parties once again won a majority of 70 seats in the 135-seat parliament in the December polls.

While separatist parties won less than half the vote, 47.5 percent, they benefited from electoral rules which give greater weight to rural areas, where support for independence is higher.

Separatists argue Puigdemont was given a democratic mandate for the independence declaration during a contested referendum, which the courts and the central government declared illegal, and want to see him reinstated. But Madrid remains fiercely opposed to his return to power.

"A fugitive, a man who tried to unilaterally liquidate national sovereignty, can't be president of anything," Rajoy told Cope radio station on Monday after the court's ruling.

Catalan parliamentary speaker Roger Torrent could decide at the last minute to put off the session of parliament to form a new government.

But under Catalonia's electoral law, it must be held at the latest ten days after the assembly opened a new session -- meaning it has to happen by Wednesday.

If Puigdemont is absent, Torrent could risk criminal charges and disobey the court by trying to swear in the former leader again remotely.

He could also open the session of parliament and then announce that a new candidate needed to be picked since it is not possible to go ahead with Puigdemont's investiture from abroad.

A top lawmaker with the separatist Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) party, Joan Tarda, said over the weekend it may be time to "sacrifice" Puigdemont although there is no obvious alternative choice. A stalemate over another candidate could eventually end up in new elections. </s> Image copyright AFP Image caption The Spanish prime minister called the referendum law an "act of disobedience"

Spain's constitutional court has suspended a referendum law passed by the Catalan parliament to hold a vote on independence next month.

The court says it will consider whether the law breaches Spain's constitution.

Despite the decision, Catalan leaders say the vote will be held as planned on 1 October.

PM Mariano Rajoy said he had appealed to the court to declare the referendum illegal, describing the law as an "intolerable act of disobedience".

Spain's wealthy north-eastern region already has autonomous powers but the regional government says it has popular support for full secession.

Hours after the constitutional court's decision, the Catalan Parliament approved the legal framework for a transition in the case of a victory for independence.

The pro-independence majority in Catalonia's parliament passed the referendum law on Wednesday.

Mr Rajoy said that all local councils would be warned of their "obligation to impede or paralyse" any effort to carry out the vote.

"What is not legal, is not democratic," he added.

Image copyright AFP Image caption Pro-independence leaders say the vote will go ahead despite the court's decision

Earlier, chief prosecutor José Manuel Maza told reporters he had asked security forces to investigate what preparations, if any, the Catalan government had made to hold the referendum.

He said his office would present criminal charges against members of the Catalan parliament for voting for the referendum, and against members of the Catalan government for signing off on it.

The Catalan government has a majority in the regional parliament made up of the separatist Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) coalition and the left-wing CUP party.

Using the hash tag #josigno, mayors around Catalonia have been posting photos of themselves on Twitter signing official declarations of support for the referendum.
A last minute presentation to the Parliament of Catalonia results in the formal approval of a referendum concerning independence from Spain after tense discussions. Though the country's president urges the government to ignore the bill, parliament is expected to vote in favor of an independence vote. For the approval of this law, the Speaker, Carme Forcadell breaks the regulations of the Parliament, placing the camera outside the law and violating the rights of the opposition.