Spain threatens to cut Cataluña funds over referendum

THE Spanish government has threatened to cut off funds for Cataluña unless the region can prove it is not using state money to prepare for the independence referendum.

“Not one euro of Catalan money will go to an illegal referendum that is desired by a handful of people,” said Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de  Vigo.

Moncloa will tighten its oversight of spending by Catalan authorities by requiring them to provide weekly accounts to enforce their threats.

The region is expected to receive €3.6 billion from the Autonomous Liquidity Fund this year, which was set up to aid regions during the financial crisis according to central government reports.

Cataluña’s pro-independence government plans to hold an independence in October referendum despite Madrid’s repeat warnings that such a vote would violate the constitution.