Is a new referendum on Catalonia's independence on the horizon?

(Patria) - The Catalan government yesterday presented a concrete proposal for a new referendum on independence from Spain, to which the central government in Madrid immediately reacted negatively.

- A vote is possible, it is only a matter of political will - said regional president Pere Aragones yesterday in Barcelona.

Voters would be asked a clear question - "Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state?", to which they could only answer "yes" or "no".

Aragones said that such a referendum could be held on the basis of Article 92 of the Constitution, which allows for a referendum to be held on "political decisions of special importance".

The referendum is called by King Felipe VI at the proposal of the Spanish Prime Minister, after prior approval from parliament.

However, the proposal was immediately rejected by members of the central government in Madrid. Minister of Justice Felix Bolaños said he was "absolutely against it".

Government spokesperson Pilar Alegria suggested that Aragones' proposal amounts to a political performance ahead of the Catalan parliamentary elections on May 12.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez agreed to an amnesty for those involved in the failed independence efforts of Catalonia in 2017 to secure his re-election last autumn. However, he still rules out a referendum on independence.

Aragones said that Sanchez had long rejected the amnesty as well, but eventually changed his mind. Sanchez's minority government depends on Catalan votes in parliament.

Other Catalan parties, alongside Aragones' Catalan Republican Left (ERC), advocate for the region's secession from Spain.

This also applies to Junts of Carles Puigdemont, who has been in exile in Belgium since 2017.

The 61-year-old recently announced that he would be the main candidate for the Junts party in the regional elections.