-:Undertaker:-
19-09-2017, 12:20 AM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-41284764
Catalonia (attempted) independence referendum 2017
Madrid is insistent on blocking the October 1st referendum on Catalonian independence
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03454/Catalan_flags_3454589b.jpg
The flags of Spain and Catalonia
The Spanish government has given the regional government in Catalonia 48 hours to abandon "illegal" referendum plans or lose budgetary powers. Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro said a mechanism had been approved for the state to take control of the autonomous region's finances.
Madrid is seeking to stop the Catalan government spending public money on its planned independence referendum.
The Catalans are defying a court order to suspend the 1 October vote. Catalan President Carles Puigdemont launched his campaign for a "Yes" vote on Thursday night in the town of Tarragona, telling a rally at a former bullring: "Vote, and in so doing bring light to darkness that has lasted for too many years."
The crowd shouted back, "Independence", "We will vote" and "We're not afraid", AFP news agency reports.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was taking the unionist cause directly to Barcelona on Friday, addressing a meeting of his Popular Party in the Catalan capital. If the deadline is not met, the central government will take over the funding of most essential public services in the region, Mr Montoro said.
"These measures are to guarantee that not one euro will go toward financing illegal acts," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency after a cabinet meeting in Madrid. The takeover would last as long as the "situation", he explained. Public finances are a particularly sore point for Catalans who for years have contributed more to the state budget than they get back in spending on public services.
http://abcnews.go.com/images/International/spain-silence-sh-er-170818.jpg
Left to Right: The Spanish Prime Minister, the King of Spain and the Catalonian First Minister
Secessionists in the wealthy region in north-eastern Spain pushed ahead with their referendum project after winning control of the region's parliament in 2015, buoyed by a wave of discontent with rule from Madrid.
The Spanish government refuses to countenance a referendum on self-determination for the region of 7.5 million people, insisting the country is indivisible.
More than 700 Catalan mayors who have agreed to help stage the referendum now face criminal investigation and police have been ordered by Spanish prosecutors to seize ballot boxes, election flyers and any other item that could be used in the referendum.
The separatists have promised to declare independence within days if, as expected, the Yes vote prevails at the referendum.
The situation is actually quite worrying as to where it could lead. Strange how it has got so little coverage.
In my view, the unity is Spain is important - Catalonia is Spain and should remain so. The attempted division of the great nations of Europe over paltry financial issues is absurd and a great shame, as well as empowering the likes of the EU/Germany/France by unbalancing power on the continent. However, you have to wonder if the Spanish government is handling this well by allowing the pressure cooker to build - I don't know the answer.
At the moment the outcome is very unclear as to what will happen - will sufficient numbers of Spanish Unionists in Catalonia boycott the referendum to render it void as the Spanish government is urging? Will Madrid begin prosecutions for those attempting to hold the referendum? If a Yes outcome arises, will Barcelona declare UDI and dare Madrid to send in troops?
Thoughts? Do you support Catalonian independence or the unity of the Kingdom of Spain?
Catalonia (attempted) independence referendum 2017
Madrid is insistent on blocking the October 1st referendum on Catalonian independence
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03454/Catalan_flags_3454589b.jpg
The flags of Spain and Catalonia
The Spanish government has given the regional government in Catalonia 48 hours to abandon "illegal" referendum plans or lose budgetary powers. Finance Minister Cristóbal Montoro said a mechanism had been approved for the state to take control of the autonomous region's finances.
Madrid is seeking to stop the Catalan government spending public money on its planned independence referendum.
The Catalans are defying a court order to suspend the 1 October vote. Catalan President Carles Puigdemont launched his campaign for a "Yes" vote on Thursday night in the town of Tarragona, telling a rally at a former bullring: "Vote, and in so doing bring light to darkness that has lasted for too many years."
The crowd shouted back, "Independence", "We will vote" and "We're not afraid", AFP news agency reports.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was taking the unionist cause directly to Barcelona on Friday, addressing a meeting of his Popular Party in the Catalan capital. If the deadline is not met, the central government will take over the funding of most essential public services in the region, Mr Montoro said.
"These measures are to guarantee that not one euro will go toward financing illegal acts," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency after a cabinet meeting in Madrid. The takeover would last as long as the "situation", he explained. Public finances are a particularly sore point for Catalans who for years have contributed more to the state budget than they get back in spending on public services.
http://abcnews.go.com/images/International/spain-silence-sh-er-170818.jpg
Left to Right: The Spanish Prime Minister, the King of Spain and the Catalonian First Minister
Secessionists in the wealthy region in north-eastern Spain pushed ahead with their referendum project after winning control of the region's parliament in 2015, buoyed by a wave of discontent with rule from Madrid.
The Spanish government refuses to countenance a referendum on self-determination for the region of 7.5 million people, insisting the country is indivisible.
More than 700 Catalan mayors who have agreed to help stage the referendum now face criminal investigation and police have been ordered by Spanish prosecutors to seize ballot boxes, election flyers and any other item that could be used in the referendum.
The separatists have promised to declare independence within days if, as expected, the Yes vote prevails at the referendum.
The situation is actually quite worrying as to where it could lead. Strange how it has got so little coverage.
In my view, the unity is Spain is important - Catalonia is Spain and should remain so. The attempted division of the great nations of Europe over paltry financial issues is absurd and a great shame, as well as empowering the likes of the EU/Germany/France by unbalancing power on the continent. However, you have to wonder if the Spanish government is handling this well by allowing the pressure cooker to build - I don't know the answer.
At the moment the outcome is very unclear as to what will happen - will sufficient numbers of Spanish Unionists in Catalonia boycott the referendum to render it void as the Spanish government is urging? Will Madrid begin prosecutions for those attempting to hold the referendum? If a Yes outcome arises, will Barcelona declare UDI and dare Madrid to send in troops?
Thoughts? Do you support Catalonian independence or the unity of the Kingdom of Spain?