Catalonian govt cancels referendum on independence from Spain

A report has revealed that the Catalonian government has decided to call off an independence referendum scheduled to take place on November 9 amid fierce opposition from Madrid.

After a Spanish constitutional court decided unanimously in September to hear the central government's case against the referendum on independence from Spain, the poll was automatically suspended until the court hears arguments and gives a verdict, which could take years, reported The Guardian.

The regional government of Catalonia had earlier vowed to go ahead with the poll but backed off during a meeting of pro-referendum parties on Monday.

Catalonia's nationalist government, led by Artur Mas, is expected to announce an alternative proposal on Tuesday.

Mas has hinted that he may call for an early regional election that would act as a plebiscite.

The rich Catalonian region and its 7.5 million inhabitants, which form 16% of the Spanish population, have long resented the redistribution of its taxes to other parts of Spain.