The Catalan Statute of Self-government that has been in force since 1979 emerged from arduous negotiations between the Catalan political forces and the Spanish government presided over by the UCD (Union of the Democratic Centre). The statute was drawn up at Sau between September and December 1978 by a committee of 20 Catalan parliamentarians. Parliamentary debate on the statute in the Spanish Cortes extended to August 1979, and was finally resolved by a considerable reduction in powers. The Spanish referendum for its approval was held on 25 October 1979.