Catalonia defies Spanish orders by approving a roadmap to independence

The regional parliament of Catalonia approved a plan to set up a roadmap for independence from Spain by 2017, in defiance of central government.

The chamber, based in the northeastern city of Barcelona, passed the motion by 72 votes to 63.

The proposal was made by pro-secession lawmakers from the ‘Together for Yes’ alliance and the extreme left-wing Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP).