Spain: Catalonia parliament approves independence referendum

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 law and legal framework needed to set up an independent state.

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

He will hold an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday and meet other party leaders.


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41177428