Catalonia is to hold a referendum on independence in 2014. Convergence and Union (CiU) leader Artur Mas and Republican Left (ERC) leader Oriol Junqueras have struck a deal that includes the approval of a Catalan law on referendums in 2013 and, subsequently, calling the vote in 2014. CiU and ERC have 71 MPs (out of 135) in the Parliament of Catalonia. The agreement also foresees that CiU will form a government with Mas as its president. The leader of CiU was first elected as Catalan president in 2010.

Two other political parties support the holding of the referendum. Ecosocialist Initiative for Catalonia (ICV-EUiA, 13 MPs) and socialist Popular Unity Candidature (CUP, 3 MPs) also want to call a vote on independence. ICV-EUiA would like an option for a federal Spain to be included in the ballots along independence and statuo quo, while CUP supports outright independence.

The Socialists' Party of Catalonia (PSC, 20 MPs) support a referendum only if it is done in accordance with the Spanish laws. The Popular Party (PP, 19 MPs) and Citizens (C's, 9 MPs) totally oppose the referendum and want Catalonia to continue being an autonomous community of Spain.

Declaration on the sovereignty of the Catalan people

Catalan newspaper Ara has released the text of the agreement between CiU and ERC (you can find it here, in Catalan). According to the text, the first plenary session of the newly elected Catalan Parliament will pass a "declaration on the sovereignty of the people of Catalonia". Parliamentary work to pass the Catalan law on referendums will start before the end of January 2013.

The agreement also foresees the opening of a negotiation process between the Catalan and Spanish governments so that "the right to decide" (direct quote from the document) can be implemented, including the holding of the referendum.

The Spanish government has always said that the Spanish institutions will never agree to such a move.

Referendum delayed only if both parties agree

According to what Junqueras has explained, the referendum can only be delayed if both CiU and ERC agree to. 2014 is a very symbolic year for the Catalan people, since it marks the 300th anniversary of the end of the War on Spanish Succession, after which Catalonia lost its political autonomy.

But both parties admit that they still have to work in order to "cement a large social majority" in favour of the process of self-determination.