The controversy surrounding Catalonia’s demand for independence has recently been heightened by ongoing political disagreements in Spain. Inflamed by the recent pro-independence referendum, is yet to be resolved, and continues to develop as the tensions between the Catalan regional government and the Spanish authorities play out in action.
Catalonia is a prosperous region located on the east coast of Spain, whose regional capital is the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona. The region has its own language, Catalan, and history dating back over 1,000 years to its origins with the kingdom of Aragon. Catalonia boasts a large regional population size of 7.5 million, as well as unique traditions and customs that are different from those of Spanish culture. Catalonia is one of the wealthiest regions in Spain and contains 16% of the Spanish national population of 46.56 million people. It has a large economic base, with the region accounting for 20% of the Spanish GDP. Catalonia also represents 25% of all Spanish exports and 23% percent of all Spanish industry, providing the region with an international presence that expands beyond Spanish borders.
Catalonia is a developed and distinctive area of Spain, and Catalan desires for independence are not unjustified. The Catalans want to maintain their distinctive heritage and culture without interference from the Spanish government. The Catalans’ main grievances with the Spanish government stem from the belief that the money they provide to the central government in taxes is not benefiting the region as much as it should, since too much flows to initiatives in other regions. The Catalans ultimately want control over their own economy, and want to protect their culture and unique traditions.
The referendum, issued by the Catalan regional government on October 1, 2017, asked citizens if they wanted Catalonia to leave Spain and form a republic, against the instructions of Spanish national authorities, or remain a part of the country. The choice was worded as follows: “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?” The results of the vote were not conclusive due to the low turnout of 43%, with 90% of these votes in favor of independence. This low rate of participation was a result of the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy declaring the separatist movement ‘criminal’ and ‘illegitimate,’ according to Article 155 of Spain’s 1978 constitution. “Article 155” has been an increasingly used term in the media’s coverage of why the Spanish government deems the fight for separation illegal. The article says,
“If a self-governing community does not fulfill the obligations imposed upon it by the constitution or other laws, or acts in a way that is seriously prejudicial to the general interest of Spain, the government, after having lodged a complaint with the president of the self-governing community and failed to receive satisfaction therefore, may, following approval granted by the overall majority of the senate, take all measures necessary to compel the community to meet said obligations, or to protect the above mentioned general interest.”
This central government’s invocation of this clause, and its willingness to use its police and courts to enforce it, give reason for tensions to remain high, with the fight for independence an uphill battle for Catalonia against the unwavering Spanish government.
A turning point in Catalonia’s struggles for independence was on October 27, 2017 when the Catalan Parliament, led by President Carles Puigdemont, voted to declare its independence from Spain with a vote of 70 in favor versus 10 against. This celebration was short-lived for the Catalans as the Spanish government instituted measures to take direct control of Catalonia, the first steps of which were to strip Catalonia of its autonomy, and to remove Carles Puigdemont from office. The Spanish government has also initiated criminal proceedings against Puigdemont and other Catalan separatist officials on charges of rebellion, the maximum sentence for which is 30 years. Trials have not yet begun, in large part because Puigdemont and several colleagues fled to Belgium earlier this fall, claiming that they could not obtain a fair trial in Spanish courts.
It is unclear what the future holds for Catalonia, as constitutional and political turmoil continue, but the next step will be the provincial elections on December 21, 2017, initiated by Madrid, which may give some clarity to the people of Catalonia on the state of their government, and help reconstruct the fractured society.
Sources
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20345071
https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/05/catalonia-is-critical-contributor-to-spains-economy.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-41618140/why-does-catalonia-want-independence
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41780116
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41800205