Spain tries to block Catalonia independence vote

The Spanish prime minister said Thursday the government is asking the country’s Constitutional Court to block an attempt by the leaders of Catalonia to hold an independence referendum on Oct. 1. The Catalan Parliament in a Wednesday night vote approved the referendum after a heated 11-hour session. Following an emergency Cabinet meeting Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the vote lacked democratic protection and promised the referendum would not hold. Spain’s chief state prosecutor, Jose Manuel Maza, said his office was lodging two criminal complaints against the Catalan officials who scheduled the vote. Maza said the charges could include, among other things, disobedience and abuse of power. Catalan separatists have insisted the northeastern region has a right to self-government, but Spanish officials have refused to budge, saying the move violates the country’s constitution.