Catalonia plans October independence referendum

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40496700

Catalonia plans October independence referendum

Planned referendum on breaking away from the Kingdom of Spain and becoming an independent republic

Catalonia's ruling coalition has vowed to declare independence "immediately" if a majority of voters back it in an October referendum. Secessionists in the north-east region have long argued that it should break away from Spain.

They argue that the prosperous region, which includes tourist hub Barcelona, pays more to Madrid than it gets back.
Catalonia is one of Spain's richest regions, both culturally and industrially. It also boasts its own distinct language - Catalan - and centuries-old customs. Until recently, there was little support for full independence - but Spain's painful economic crunch has prompted an upswing.

The question put to voters in October will be: "Do you want Catalonia to be an independent state in the form of a republic?"

The poll is being compared to the 2014 Scottish referendum on membership of the UK, which saw Scots vote No to independence by 55% to 45%. But that vote had the blessing of Westminster - while the Spanish government is fighting this one at every turn.

This is a new clash between Madrid and Catalonia's ruling coalition, which stand on different sides of the poll debate.
In his televised New Year's speech, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont promised a "legal and binding" independence vote. But Madrid sees that as a threat to Spain's national unity, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called in lawyers to block it. The country's Constitutional Court has already quashed a resolution approved by Catalonia's parliament calling for the referendum to take place.

Spain has also threatened elected officials with legal consequences if they arrange to hold a vote.

A recent poll by the regional government found that Catalans were evenly split on the merits of autonomy, with 48.5% opposing it and 44.3% in favour. A poll published by the Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico, not seen as backing independence, suggested that 85% now want a referendum.

Both the PP and the Socialists (PSOE), who came first and second in Spain's general election, oppose Catalan secession. Prime Minister Mr Rajoy has promised he "won't allow a single act that could harm the unity and sovereignty of Spain".

Whilst Spain has handled it badly, hopefully it fails. It would be a tragedy to see a great nation like Spain disintegrate.

The problem with these independence movements, like in Scotland, is that there's a certain size a nation has to be in order to be viable in the world. Sure nations like Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Belgium are 'independent' in name but the reality is that throughout their history they've been subject to larger powers like France, Britain, Russia, Prussia (Germany) and Spain. Once you get below the 50m population level you're sort of condemned to partially be a 'satelite' of others.

The reasons these independence movements give for independence are silly too, silly at least to be contemplating breaking the nation up over. You don't vote to split your country in two because the Tories are in power or because of tax distribution. It's hardly the stuff of Braveheart, is it?

The parts of Europe where great nations have disintegrated following the two world wars (the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ottoman Empire, Russian Empire) are now tiny and in many cases tinpot, republics who are entirely dependent on the United States and/or Germany/France/EU and Russia for defence and the rest of it. What kind of independence is that?

Long live Catalonia within the Kingdom Spain.

Thoughts?