Madrid: Catalonia will hold a referendum on independence on October 1, the president of the region said on Friday, defying Spanish courts and the conservative government in Madrid.

Long-standing objections to the referendum, which was announced by the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, mean that it is unclear how the vote could be held and whether it would be considered binding. But the decision nonetheless raises the stakes in a separatist dispute that has been at the heart of Spanish politics for five years.

A protest against Catalan independence in Madrid in May. Credit:AP

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, with the support of the Spanish judiciary, has promised to block efforts to hold a referendum, and vowed to maintain Spanish unity and resist the secessionist push from Catalonia.

Spain has a monarchy, and Mr Puigdemont said that Catalan voters would be asked if they wanted a Catalan state in the form of a republic.