Spain faces bullfighting ban vote in Catalonia
BARCELONA. July 28. KAZINFORM The parliament of Catalonia is to vote on whether or not to become the first region of mainland Spain to ban bullfighting; Kazinform refers to BBC.
The vote is taking place as the result of a petition brought to parliament signed by 180,000 people who argue that the practice is barbaric and outdated.
Bullfight supporters insist that the corrida, as it is known, is an important tradition to preserve.
They also fear the vote could be the first of many in the country.
Wednesday's vote could bring a long tradition in Catalonia to an end.
Barcelona's main bullring is one of the oldest in Spain, but support for the bullfight has waned here.
Now the regional parliament will now decide whether to ban the practice altogether.
The vote was brought to the agenda by activists who argue it is cruel and unacceptable and say most spectators in Catalonia these days are tourists.
Supporters says the corrida is an art form that it is vital to preserve.
See www.bbc.co.uk for full version.