Catalan separatists win confidence vote in test of supporters' loyalty
MADRID- Catalonia's pro-independence government won a confidence vote on Thursday that it hopes will spur support for its attempts to split from Spain at a time of disarray in national politics.
Triggered by squabbling among separatist factions which hold power in Catalonia's regional assembly, the 72-63 win in the vote served as a show of unity as local leaders try to push ahead with secession plans.
The wealthy north-eastern region's premier, Carles Puigdemont, has said a victory in the vote would accelerate his government's proposals to construct an independent Catalan state, with or without Spain's consent.
Puigdemont told the Catalan parliament on Wednesday that he was willing to discuss the terms of a referendum on independence with Madrid, which has steadfastly opposed it, but that otherwise he would hold one next September regardless.
