Spain’s Constitutional Court has partially ruled Catalonia’s sovereignty claim as illegal. br br Lawmakers in the northern region last year adopted a declaration of self determination, calling for a referendum. br br The Madrid court said they have no right to infringe Spain’s constitution.br br Catalan’s President Artur Mas who has promised to hold a vote on November 9 has been encouraged by a groundswell of public support for his separatist policies.br br However both Madrid and the European Union oppose the idea of full independence.