The president of Spain's Catalonia region signed a decree on Saturday calling for a referendum on independence to be held on Nov. 9, putting the local government on a collision course with Madrid, which says such a vote is illegal.
The wealthy region, which accounts for around a fifth of Spain's economy, has its own language and distinct culture and has long fought for self-rule.
A large majority of Catalans want to hold a referendum on independence, polls show, and have been encouraged by the close result in this month's binding referendum in Scotland.