by Our Foreign Desk

CATALAN nationalist parties tabled a Bill yesterday to begin the region’s secession from Spain as an independent republic.

The motion calls on the autonomous region’s parliament to pass legislation within 30 days that would move Catalonia toward a separate constitution, social security system and treasury.

It was proposed by the Together for Yes separatist alliance and the left-wing Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) party.

The Bill also asserts that Spanish institutions, such as the constitutional court, should have no power to interfere in the independence process.

Spain’s federal constitution forbids the autonomous communities or regions from seceding.

The parties called for an urgent vote on the proposal but it is unlikely to have more than symbolic importance as the region has yet to form a new government.

Spanish Justice Minister Rafael Catala said such a motion would lack legal significance but, if approved, the government would study whether it should be challenged in court.

The wealthy region of 7.5 million people produces nearly a fifth of Spain’s gross domestic product.

Together for Yes won 62 seats in Catalonia’s 135-member parliament in last month’s elections, while the CUP won 10 seats.

The alliance said it would treat the election as a de facto referendum on independence.

Together for Yes leader and regional president Artur Mas is in negotiations with the CUP to try to form a new government.

The CUP, however, has said it will never support him as president.