Catalunya 'Diada': Spanish flags and photos of King burnt as regional government announces referendum for next June

CATALUNYA'S regional day festivities saw a smaller turnout than ever, but greater passion amongst those who did as cries for independence were heard loud and clear.

A group of supporters of the reigning pro-secession political party, the CUP, are expected to face charges for burning the Spanish flag and images of King Felipe VI.

Unlike in previous years where the procession has only taken place in Barcelona, this time parades were held in several towns in the region, with patriotic residents carrying the estelada, as the Catalunya regional flag is known.

More people than expected turned out – around 815,000 across all the towns – but this was only just over half of last year's 1.4 million and less than half of the 1.8 million seen in 2014.

Barcelona's mayoress Ada Colau, from En Comú Podem, a faction of the left-wing independent party Podemos, joined in the national day celebrations – known as the Diada – but refused to be photographed with the pro-secessionists.

Regional president Carles Puigdemont has said he and the other members of the CUP will call a unilateral referendum on independence next year.

His MP Gabriela Serra says it is likely to be held in June 2017, and the secession process will then start in August if, as looks increasingly likely, the majority vote is to break away from Spain.

Justice minister for Spain Rafael Catalá has said if Catalunya does hold a referendum, 'the full weight of the law' will come down on the CUP and Puigdemont.

Spain insists on blocking the referendum without discussion, has refused to mention 'independence' or talk to Catalunya's leaders about it, which is fuelling even greater rebellion among politicians and the public and which could feasibly lead to a majority in favour of seceding.

And a referendum on independence has become a red line preventing the other political parties in national government from forming a coalition to oust the acting right-wing PP cabinet.

Centre-right Ciudadanos and left-wing PSOE are dead against it, whereas Podemos wants to allow it, working on the basis that Catalunya's problems with the rest of Spain should be resolved 'democratically'.

His argument is that by not blocking the vote, and instead opening up free and frank talks between everyone involved, it is likely that the answer to the referendum would be to stay in Spain – but that continually denying them the 'right to a voice', the desire for independence is growing stronger by the day.

As a Constitutional Monarchy, Spain's central government can legitimately refuse to allow a referendum and, if Catalunya goes ahead with it unilaterally, its leaders could be found guilty of sedition and face a prison term.