2017 Catalan Independence Referendum

The 2017 Catalan independence referendum was an unauthorized vote on self-determination held in the autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain, on 1 October 2017. It was organized by the Catalan government under the presidency of Carles Puigdemont, despite being declared illegal by the Spanish Constitutional Court. The referendum asked the question 'Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?' According to Catalan government sources, about 43% of eligible voters participated, with 92% voting 'Yes' to independence. The event led to a major political crisis, triggering the suspension of Catalan autonomy via Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, the dissolution of the regional government, and the imprisonment or exile of several Catalan leaders. Its aftermath continues to shape Spanish and European politics.