Catalonia to be independent from Spain by 2017

Catalonia's regional parliament voted in support of legislation which would make their region independent from their Spanish leaders by 2017.

Parliament passed this legislation by a mere nine votes.

Catalonia was once it's own independent state on the Iberian Peninsula, but over time, it has become more and more dependent on other areas of the region.

In 1150, the marriage of the Queen of Aragon and the Count of Barcelona formed an alliance between the two nations, and their son inherited the all of the territories of Aragon and Catalonia. These boundaries lasted until the War of the Spanish Succession, which combined the regions of Valencia, Catalonia, and the remaining islands to create modern-day Spain.

As Spanish rule attempted to force their culture upon the people of Catalonia, they longed for their independence that was slowly being stripped from them with each passing day. The people's push for independence waned when Madid ruled that "...there is no legal basis for recognising Catalonia as a nation within Spain."

With the economic struggle that Spain is facing, Catalonia is once again pushing for its independence, this time with a plan that makes the dream a reality by 2017.

This motion has declared a "process of democratic disconnection not subject to the institutions of the Spanish state."

The Spanish government was quick to react, taking the decision to the Constitutional Court, which is infamous for blocking Catalonia's moves toward independence.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has pledged to use all of his authority of office to stop Catalonia before the December 20 national elections. "I understand the anxiety that many Catalans can fee, but to all of them I say you can rest easy. Catalonia isn't separating from anywhere, nor will there be any rupture," says Rajoy.