Catalonia’s Separatist Swell

Artur Mas, regional leader of Catalonia, has signed a decree calling for a non-binding consultation on 
independence to be held on November 9. Madrid continues to refuse to allow a Catalan vote, in contrast to London’s approval of the Scottish referendum. Recent polls indicate that half of Catalans would vote to break away 
from Spain, while a striking 75 percent favor a plebiscite. This October may be Madrid’s last chance to lower the temperature in Catalonia.