A referendum is expected to ask a two-part question : `` Should Catalonia be a state ? '' Catalan President Artur Mas sets November 9 as the date for an independence referendum . The federal government in Madrid is firmly opposed to any such vote taking place . Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators called earlier this month for a vote to be held . Comment:
Catalan President Artur Mas sets November 9 as the date for an independence referendum . The federal government in Madrid is firmly opposed to any such vote taking place . Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators called earlier this month for a vote to be held . Comment: