MADRID, Spain: The Spanish government filed a lawsuit Tuesday with the Constitutional Court to block plans by the Basque region to hold a referendum that many see as a move toward independence. State lawyers acted after the Basque regional government on Tuesday published its plan to hold the referendum Oct. 25, the Justice Ministry said in a statement. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialist government says the referendum is unconstitutional because only the central government, not a regional administration, can authorize such a vote. The lawsuit automatically suspends plans for the vote while the court deliberates. The Basque government insists the nonbinding vote is a popular consultation, and not a referendum. With it, the regional government seeks the views of Basque residents on the separatist group ETA's armed conflict and the region's future political status.
MADRID, Spain: The Spanish government filed a lawsuit Tuesday with the Constitutional Court to block plans by the Basque region to hold a referendum that many see as a move toward independence.
State lawyers acted after the Basque regional government on Tuesday published its plan to hold the referendum Oct. 25, the Justice Ministry said in a statement.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's Socialist government says the referendum is unconstitutional because only the central government, not a regional administration, can authorize such a vote.
The lawsuit automatically suspends plans for the vote while the court deliberates.
The Basque government insists the nonbinding vote is a popular consultation, and not a referendum. With it, the regional government seeks the views of Basque residents on the separatist group ETA's armed conflict and the region's future political status.
I'll try to find the referendum questions... When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
