BARCELONA, Spain, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- The president of Catalonia has asked European leaders to back a non-binding referendum on independence from Spain.
Artur Mas, who heads the autonomous region, wants a vote in November, the EUobserver reported. If the referendum is held, it would take place two months after a vote in Scotland on independence from the United Kingdom.
Spanish leaders outside Catalonia argue a vote would violate the country's constitution.
A letter Mas sent to German Prime Minister Angela Merkel in December was released Thursday.
"Contrary to some reports, there are a number of legal and constitutional options which allow this referendum to take place in Catalonia," Mas said. "I am confident I can rely on you to encourage the peaceful, democratic, transparent and European process to which I and a vast majority of the Catalan people are fully committed."
Pro-independence sentiment has been running high in Catalonia, the region centered around Barcelona. In November parliamentary elections, separatists won about two-thirds of the seats in the region, and polls show 55 percent of Catalans favor independence.
One big question is whether an independent Catalonia would have to apply for membership in the European Union. If the EU decides membership would not be automatic, that could shift public opinion toward remaining part of Spain.
