Wednesday, 20 March, 2019
  • Global Media
  • Hemorrhage of Catalonia? What's Behind Its Upcoming Independence Referendum

Hemorrhage of Catalonia? What's Behind Its Upcoming Independence Referendum

Spanish democracy faces its biggest challenge in decades Spanish democracy faces its biggest challenge in decades Commentary
Christy Curtis | 30 September, 2017, 00:39

The EU should do its duty as a repository of democratic values by telling Spain to allow a referendum on Catalan independence to take place, the region's foreign affairs chief said.

"The Spanish government has allowed the Catalan conflict to rise from internal discussion to an European conflict", said Colau, adding that Europe cannot remain "passive" on this issue.

'Today we can affirm that there will be no effective referendum in Catalonia.

"You do not need to share the Catalan regional government's roadmap to realize that the main party responsible for worsening the situation has been the intransigent government of Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy", Colau wrote.

While I am no separatist and have even criticised the unilateral course taken by the Catalan regional Government, I am alarmed by the repressive measures the Spanish Government has been using to prevent the referendum of 1 October; a response that represents a "qualitative leap" within its own strategy for judicialising the Catalan conflict.

Spain's economy minister told the FT that a Catalan exit would also mean an automatic exit from the European Union and eurozone, subjecting 75% of the region's production to export tariffs - but not everyone agrees.

The Bank of Spain warned that political tensions over the independence drive in Catalonia, which accounts for about a fifth of the Spanish economy, put its growth forecasts at risk although it kept them unchanged for this year and the next.

Nearly 10 million ballots were seized last week, although the whole population of Catalonia is a little more than 7.5 million, including those who are not eligible to vote.

Thousands of additional police have been deployed to the region, with orders to take control of the voting booths.

"This referendum does not solve anything, it is a problem because it pits the two sides of Catalonia against each other", said Alex Ramos, the vice president of a group that opposes secession called the Sociedad Civil Catalana (SCC).

As part of their efforts to stop the referendum, the Spanish government has blocked Catalan websites, seized pro-succession material and detained officials involved in the referendum.

Jordi Marti drives a taxi in Barcelona plastered with stickers supporting the vote.

The unprecedented crackdown has enraged many in Catalonia.

Catalonia's pro-sovereignty administration argues that the region, with a population of 7.5 million, has the right to self-determination. "It's over because we have been negotiating with the Spanish government for 40 years. and it hasn't been worthwhile".

The UN experts say that irrespective of the legality of the referendum itself, the Catalan public has the right to assemble publicly.

Elon Musk gives update on Mars colonization plan at Australian conference

Recommended

Elon Musk gives update on Mars colonization plan at Australian conference Elon Musk gives update on Mars colonization plan at Australian conference Musk's hope is to land at least two cargo ships on Mars by then so they can suss out exactly what's going on there. A base on the moon , and regular travel by rocket, anywhere in the world, in less than an hour.

Delta will add free mobile messaging to some flights on October 1 Delta will add free mobile messaging to some flights on October 1 Friess Assocs Limited Liability Co invested 1.37% of its portfolio in Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) or 614 shares. (NYSE:DAL). Barclays PLC initiated coverage on shares of Delta Air Lines in a report on Thursday, August 10th. (DAL)'s stock declined 5.91%.

Mandatory dues for leftist politics in crosshairs Mandatory dues for leftist politics in crosshairs The arrangement was supposed to prevent non-members from "free riding", since the union has a legal duty to represent all workers. Rauner says his 2015 executive order prohibiting state-agency "fair share" collection set the Janus case in motion.

Brent oil price ease back from two-year highs Brent oil price ease back from two-year highs Fuel prices are also rising as USA refineries come back online in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, providing boost to crude prices. After three years of over-supply and a low of $27 p/b, the price of oil has risen sharply in the past 12-18 months.

Prince George didn't want to go to school today: William Prince George didn't want to go to school today: William However, as Vanity Fair pointed out , William actually predicted George's lack of enthusiasm for school. The Prince William told the Telegraph that George told him that he's had enough training.

Hillary Clinton Spent 600 Hours On Her Beauty Routine Last Year Hillary Clinton Spent 600 Hours On Her Beauty Routine Last Year She reflected on the 2016 election as an example of staying true to her "authentic self". She also added that she found her comments on women who voted for Trump "insightful".

Catalonia Referendum: Spanish Police Deployed to 'Neutralize' Polling Stations Catalonia Referendum: Spanish Police Deployed to 'Neutralize' Polling Stations Whether that strategy will be seen as a critical step on the path toward independence, or a step back, only time will tell. Polls indicate that a vote for independence is by no means certain - the region is split equally in favor and against.

Roy Moore: Trump Will Back Me Once He Knows Me Roy Moore: Trump Will Back Me Once He Knows Me Former chief Trump strategist Steve Bannon introduced Moore at his victory party, saying a vote for Moore was a vote for Mr. In his victory speech, Moore said he supported President Donald Trump , even though the president had backed unusual .

Top US general voices support for transgender troops Top US general voices support for transgender troops She asked Dunford if he had had the chance to meet with any transgender troops since the ban was announced . The guidance left it up to the Defense Department to decide the fate of now serving transgender troops.

Supply of iPhone X estimated at just over 12 million units Supply of iPhone X estimated at just over 12 million units Another boost to Face ID security is a separate neural network specifically created to thwart spoofing attacks. Apps don't get access to facial scans or any of the data in the Secure Enclave.

Vice president 'disappointed' Sen. Collins against Graham-Cassidy Bill Vice president 'disappointed' Sen. Collins against Graham-Cassidy Bill Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy , authors of the bill , had offered to boost federal healthcare funds by 43% in Maine. Emerging from a closed-door meeting, senators were quick to confirm that no vote would take place on the Graham-Cassidy bill.

NZ dollar under pressure as greenback pushes higher NZ dollar under pressure as greenback pushes higher Trump has praised Yellen since taking office, saying he approves of the Fed's current low interest rates and respects the chair. Stocks opened higher and traded in positive territory for much of the day before running out of steam in the final hour.

Alstom shares surge on Siemens rail tie-up Alstom shares surge on Siemens rail tie-up Jochen Eickholt, CEO of Siemens Mobility, will assume an important responsibility in the merged entity, the company said. The combined company will be called Siemens Alstom , and will merge only the rail operations of the two companies.

Saudi Arabia to allow women to drive Saudi Arabia to allow women to drive In fact, the majority of the members of the Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom agree that Islam does not ban women from driving.

Gas Prices in Hartford Area Slip Following Jump After Hurricane Harvey Gas Prices in Hartford Area Slip Following Jump After Hurricane Harvey In the Warren-Youngstown area, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.38, according to national auto club AAA. However, compared to this time previous year , Florida drivers are paying 52 cents more for a gallon of gasoline.