Hot: Catalonia officially declares independence

(Baonghean.vn) - On October 27, Spain's Catalan regional parliament declared independence and proclaimed a republic, in a controversial vote that was rejected and deemed illegal by the Spanish constitutional court.

Tens of thousands of independence supporters gathered near the Catalan parliament, cheering with joy. Photo: AP

The Catalan parliament president said the independence motion passed with 70 votes in favour, 10 against and two abstentions, out of a total of 135 seats. Deputies from the Socialist Party, the ruling Popular Party (PP) and Ciudadanos expressed their opposition by walking out before the vote.

This move to declare independence is unlikely to receive recognition from the central government in Madrid and internationally.

Immediately after the results were announced, tens of thousands of independence supporters gathered near the Catalan parliament cheering with joy.

Just minutes after the announcement, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called for calm and vowed to restore legitimacy in Catalonia, while Madrid decided to take direct control of the region./.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters, AFP)