According to Reuters, Catalonia is expected to approve hosting a referendum on the first of October voting on whether the region will remain or split from Spain; a vote which the Spanish government says is illegal and promised to stop. 

Catalan lawmakers are expected to vote on laws approving the referendum, and legal framework required to set up an independent state. Laws are likely to be approved, as pro-independence parties have a majority in regional parliament. 

Recent polls conducted in the province of Barcelona indicate support for an independent Catalonia is decreasing, as the Spanish economy improves. However, Catalans maintain that they would like the opportunity to vote. 

According to regional governor Carles Puigdemont, ballot boxes, voting papers, and electoral census are ready, and the referendum will have no minimum turnout requirement to be binding. 

Given the terms of the new laws, within 48 hours of the vote, if the majority voted "yes" the government will declare independence. 

“In one day they hope to do away with the constitution and national sovereignty. They will not do it,” he said. “No one can do away with Spanish democracy,” said Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, stating that the government will do everything legally possible to ensure no referendum will be held.