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Catalan officials defy Madrid on independence vote

People walk on a street decorated with a banner calling to vote Yes in the independence referendum and "esteladas" or independence flags in Sabadell, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's office says members of his cabinet are meeting Thursday to react to plans by Catalan leaders who have scheduled a vote on the region's secession from Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
People walk on a street decorated with a banner calling to vote Yes in the independence referendum and "esteladas" or independence flags in Sabadell, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's office says members of his cabinet are meeting Thursday to react to plans by Catalan leaders who have scheduled a vote on the region's secession from Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) People walk on a street decorated with a banner calling to vote Yes in the independence referendum and "esteladas" or independence flags in Sabadell, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's office says members of his cabinet are meeting Thursday to react to plans by Catalan leaders who have scheduled a vote on the region's secession from Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

By Associated Press 3 min read

MADRID (AP) – Regional leaders in Catalonia moved Friday to defy the central government in Madrid and go ahead with a vote on independence even though Spain’s constitutional court has ordered the vote suspended.

While the pro-independence Catalan government tried to flex its muscles, most of the opposition to the vote – both regional and national – rallied around conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his efforts to crush the planned Oct. 1 ballot.

On Friday, the state prosecutor targeted members of the Catalan parliament and the Barcelona-based regional government in separate lawsuits. The prosecutor’s document asked judges to look into possible disobedience, abuse of power and embezzlement charges against the officials.

But despite the court’s suspension of the vote and the legal threats, regional President Carles Puigdemont has pushed ahead with preparations for the ballot.

An official website offers volunteers the chance to register and help with the vote. A promotional video published in official media asks: “You were born with the ability to choose. Are you going to give it up?”