New statute of autonomy approved by 128 votes in the Senate (eitb24, 05/11/2006)
Against a fierce fight from the opposition Popular Party (PP), the upper house of parliament approved the text by 128 votes to 125, with six abstentions.
The Spanish government squeezed a controversial new statute for Catalonia through the Senate on Wednesday, clearing the latest hurdle before Catalans to vote on the document which grants the region greater autonomy.
The statute includes a much-disputed phrase, which says Catalonia perceives itself as a nation. Conservatives say this is the beginning of the end of Spain as a unified country.
It’s not a particularly good idea, but self-determination is an inevitable democratic norm now.
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