Catalan regional president Artur Mas accepted cancellation of a November 9 independence referendum for Catalonia yesterday, proposing an unofficial, non-binding indicative vote instead.

Polls show that most Catalans support holding an independence referendum, with around half in favour of ending ties with Spain.

Mr Mas insisted that his government is not backtracking and that it plans an official vote later, claiming that the symbolic vote will serve as a “preliminary” ballot.

“It means there will be polling stations open, with ballot boxes and ballots,” he explained.

“It will depend on the people for a strong enough participation to show that people here want to vote.”

The central government in Madrid insists that an independence vote would violate Spain’s constitution specifying that only the national government can call referendums on sovereignty and that all Spaniards must be allowed to vote.

Conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said before Mr Mas spoke that calling the referendum off would be “excellent news.”