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.
• Will Catalonia try to secede from Spain this year?

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.

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.</s>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.
• Will Catalonia try to secede from Spain this year?

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.

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.</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>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>MADRID, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The Spanish Constitutional Court has suspended a referendum law that was approved on Wednesday by the Catalan parliament, blocking the way for an Oct. 1 ballot on independence from Spain, a court source said on Thursday.

The law will be suspended while judges consider arguments that the vote breaches the country's constitution.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said earlier on Thursday he had appealed to the court to declare the referendum illegal. The constitution states Spain is indivisible. (Reporting By Tomas Cobos; Writing by Angus Berwick; Editing by Sonya Dowsett)</s>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.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called on the constitutional court to nullify the bill.

His deputy accused secessionists of trampling on democracy.

Spain's 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.
• Will Catalonia try to secede from Spain this year?

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

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.

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.

Former Catalan leader Artur Mas was barred from office by a court earlier this year for running the 2014 vote and the current leadership could face legal sanctions more quickly than that.

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 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 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.</s>Spain's central authorities moved on Thursday to crush plans by the northeastern region of Catalonia to hold an independence referendum and took steps to prosecute regional lawmakers backing the ballot.

Spain's central authorities moved on Thursday to crush plans by the northeastern region of Catalonia to hold an independence referendum and took steps to prosecute regional lawmakers backing the ballot.

A long-running campaign for independence by a group of Catalan politicians, who hold a majority in the regional parliament, came to a head on Wednesday when they approved a law to allow a vote on secession from Spain scheduled for Oct. 1.

The country's Constitutional Court, Spain's highest legal authority on such matters, suspended the referendum law late on Thursday to allow judges time to consider whether the vote breaches the country's constitution.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said earlier on Thursday he had appealed to the court to declare the referendum illegal. The constitution states Spain is indivisible.

"This referendum will not go ahead," he said.

In a separate move on Thursday, Spain's state prosecutor's office said it would present criminal charges against leading members of the Catalan parliament for allowing Wednesday's parliamentary vote to go ahead.

Catalan lawmakers have said they are prepared to go to jail over the issue.

The state prosecutor-general, Jose Manuel Maza, told reporters he had also asked the security forces to investigate any preparations by the Catalan government to hold the referendum. This could involve printing leaflets or preparing polling stations.

Teachers, police and administrative workers are among civil servants that could risk fines or potentially the loss of their jobs by manning polling stations or taking part in other activities deemed as helping the vote.

Polls show the debate over independence in the region is close-run, with those preferring to stay united with Spain slightly outnumbering 'independentistas'. A majority of Catalans do want the right to hold a referendum, however.

MIXED FEELINGS

Barcelona residents on Thursday had mixed feelings about the possibility of a referendum.

"It will never be legal if it's not agreed with the government," said 53-year-old interior designer Laurent Legard. "This is not the right path."

Dolores, a 55-year-old receptionist who declined to give her surname, disagreed.

"We are delighted - we've been waiting for this moment for many years. It really is a democracy to allow people to give their opinion about how they want to live and how they want their country to be," she said.

Prime Minister Rajoy's recourse to the courts to block any independence referendum now and in a non-binding 2014 vote on a split from Spain has raised hackles in the industrial region.

Any heavy-handedness on behalf of his government to stop leaflet printing or confiscate ballot boxes could trigger social unrest.

Catalan's regional head, Carles Puigdemont, has said the results of the referendum will be binding no matter what the turn-out is. Analysts have said a low turn-out would harm the legitimacy of the result.

Catalonia will declare independence within 48 hours of a "yes" vote, the referendum law states.

Online Editors</s>MADRID, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Thursday he would ask Spain's constitutional court to revoke a referendum law passed on Wednesday by the Catalan parliament that sets the stage for a Oct. 1 vote on splitting from Spain.

The law, passed by a majority of Catalan lawmakers, was unconstitutional, Rajoy told a news conference.

Spain's state prosecutors' office said on Thursday it would present criminal charges against leading members of the Catalan parliament for allowing Wednesday's parliamentary vote to go ahead.
Spain's Constitutional Court suspends the Catalan Parliament's independence referendum law to give the court time to consider whether the vote would breach the country's constitution.