Standoff in Spain

Is Spain headed for the breakup of the century? Last month, people in the Spanish region of Catalonia voted to secede from Spain and form an independent nation.

The vote, which the Spanish government has declared illegal and unconstitutional, set off weeks of chaos and confusion. On the day of the referendum, nearly 900 people were injured when police attacked peaceful protesters and those attempting to cast ballots. Photos of the police dragging people out of polling stations by their hair, throwing others to the ground, and firing rubber bullets into crowds were broadcast around the world to widespread alarm. 

Is Spain headed for the breakup of the century? Last month, people in the Spanish region of Catalonia voted to secede from Spain. They want to form an independent nation.

The vote set off weeks of chaos and confusion. The Spanish government has declared the vote illegal and unconstitutional. On the day of the referendum, nearly 900 people were injured. Police attacked peaceful protesters and those trying to cast ballots. Photos of the police dragging people out of polling stations by their hair were broadcast around the world to widespread alarm. The police also were shown throwing people to the ground and firing rubber bullets into crowds.

“Today the Spanish state wrote another shameful page in its history with Catalonia,” said Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s leader.

According to Catalan officials, 90 percent of voters backed independence. But turnout was relatively low: Just 43 percent of eligible voters—about 2.3 million people—cast ballots. (Actual vote totals are unclear because Spanish police seized a number of ballot boxes.) Experts say many Catalans who oppose independence likely boycotted the referendum by not voting at all, while others may have stayed home because of the violence. 

In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of people across Spain have taken to the streets in massive demonstrations—some calling for Catalan independence, others for unity.

“Today the Spanish state wrote another shameful page in its history with Catalonia,” said Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s leader.

According to Catalan officials, 90 percent of voters backed independence. However, turnout was relatively low. Only 43 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. That is about 2.3 million people. (Actual vote totals are unclear because Spanish police seized a number of ballot boxes.) Experts say many Catalans who oppose independence likely boycotted the poll by not voting at all. Others may have stayed home because of the violence.

In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of people across Spain have taken to the streets in large demonstrations. Some are calling for Catalan independence. Others demand unity.

Those who favor secession say Catalonia, a wealthy region in northeast Spain, would be better off on its own. They say the Spanish government has too much control over their affairs. But other Catalans and Spain’s leaders worry that the region—and Spain as a whole—would suffer economically if it were to become independent. 

The stakes are incredibly high. Catalonia is a key industrial center that accounts for one-fifth of the Spanish economy. Its regional capital, Barcelona, is a major tourist destination that attracts 32 million visitors a year and brings in billions of dollars annually. Catalonia’s withdrawal from Spain would have huge implications for the country as well as the rest of Europe—and even the United States, experts say. 

While it’s unclear what will happen next, tensions have undoubtedly reached a boiling point, says Spain’s deputy prime minister, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría: “Never have Catalonia and Spain endured a fracture like [this].”

Catalonia is a wealthy region in northeast Spain. Catalans who favor a split say the region would be better off on its own. They think that the Spanish government has too much control over their affairs. But other Catalans and Spain’s leaders worry about the region and Spain as a whole. They fear that both would suffer economically if Catalonia were to become independent.

The stakes are incredibly high. Catalonia is a key industrial center that accounts for one-fifth of the Spanish economy. Barcelona is its regional capital and a major tourist destination. The city attracts 32 million visitors a year and brings in billions of dollars annually. Catalonia’s withdrawal from Spain would have huge implications for the country as well as the rest of Europe. It could be important to the United States too, experts say.

It is unclear what will happen next. Tensions have reached a boiling point, says Spain’s deputy prime minister, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría: “Never have Catalonia and Spain endured a fracture like [this].”

Experts say the modern fight for Catalan independence gained strength in 1975, after the death of Spain’s dictator, Francisco Franco. During his nearly 40-year reign, Franco took away much of Catalonia’s autonomy and suppressed the region’s culture. He outlawed the Catalan language, forced parents to choose Spanish names for their children, and executed or imprisoned thousands of people in an attempt to clamp down on opponents.

Over time, the oppression led to a renewed sense of Catalan nationalism (or patriotism) and intensified Catalans’ desire for independence. In 1978, the Spanish government responded by granting the region limited self-governing powers. For example, Catalonia oversees its own police force, schools, and hospitals. The Spanish government, meanwhile, controls taxes, foreign affairs, infrastructure, and other matters. 

Francisco Franco was a Spanish dictator who died in 1975. Experts say that the modern fight for Catalan independence gained strength after his death. During his nearly 40-year reign, Franco took away much of Catalonia’s autonomy. The region’s culture was suppressed. He outlawed the Catalan language and forced parents to choose Spanish names for their children. Franco executed or imprisoned thousands of people in an attempt to clamp down on opponents.

Over time, the oppression led to a renewed sense of Catalan nationalism (or patriotism). It increased Catalans’ desire for independence. In 1978, the Spanish government responded by granting the region limited self-governing powers. For example, Catalonia oversees its own police force, schools, and hospitals. Meanwhile, the Spanish government controls taxes, foreign affairs, infrastructure, and other matters.

In addition to feelings of nationalism, many Catalans who support independence say the region gives too much money to the central government. According to some estimates, Catalonia pays about 20 percent of Spain’s taxes, some of which are used to fund development projects in poorer parts of the country.

Supporters of independence also note that Catalonia is a major industrial center. They say the region’s strong economy is a sign that it would be viable as an independent country.

Guillem Carbonell Vidal, 18, is one of many young activists excited by the prospect of independence. “We have been waiting for this moment for 300 years,” he told reporters. “I will be able to live the way I want. We will be able to build a new future.”

In addition to feelings of nationalism, many Catalans who support independence say the region gives too much money to the central government. According to some estimates, Catalonia pays about 20 percent of Spain’s taxes. Some of this money is used to pay for development projects in poorer parts of the country.

Supporters of independence also note that Catalonia is a major industrial center. They say the region’s strong economy is a sign that it would do well as an independent country.

Guillem Carbonell Vidal, 18, is one of many young activists who are excited by the idea of independence. “We have been waiting for this moment for 300 years,” he told reporters. “I will be able to live the way I want. We will be able to build a new future.”

But those who oppose independence insist that Catalonia is better off as part of Spain. According to experts, it’s unlikely that an independent Catalonia would be able to join the European Union (E.U.), the political and economic partnership of 28 nations across Europe. Without E.U. membership, it would be harder for Catalonia to trade with other countries, which could lead to the loss of jobs. 

Several companies based in Catalonia, including major banks, have already announced plans to move their headquarters to different parts of Spain to ensure that they remain in the E.U.

Alejandro Marcos, 44, and other Catalans who oppose secession say their views are being overshadowed by those who favor independence. 

“We have perhaps been silent too long,” he told reporters. “It seems that the one who yells the most wins the argument. So we have to raise our voices and say loud and clear that we do not want independence.”

But people who oppose independence insist that Catalonia is better off as part of Spain. The European Union (E.U.) is a political and economic partnership of 28 nations across Europe. According to experts, it is unlikely that an independent Catalonia would be able to join this group. Without E.U. membership, Catalonia would have a hard time trading with other countries. That could lead to the loss of jobs.

Several companies based in Catalonia, including major banks, have already announced plans to move their headquarters. They plan to relocate to different parts of Spain to ensure that they remain in the E.U.

Alejandro Marcos, 44, and other Catalans who oppose seceding from Spain say their views are being overshadowed by those who favor independence.

“We have perhaps been silent too long,” Marcos told reporters. “It seems that the one who yells the most wins the argument. So we have to raise our voices and say loud and clear that we do not want independence.”

Since the October 1 vote, the situation in Spain has become increasingly tense. Both Catalonia’s regional government and Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, have refused to back down. At press time, the Spanish government seemed to be moving to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy, and the country appeared headed for a major confrontation. 

Spain’s King Felipe VI has criticized Catalan leaders for what he calls their “disloyalty” and “irresponsible conduct.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders of the E.U. also oppose Catalan secession. They fear that it could inspire other independence movements across the continent and threaten the strength of their alliance. 

Europe is already dealing with a number of challenges: the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the E.U. (known as Brexit), high unemployment, and the record influx of refugees from the Middle East and Africa. If Catalonia were to leave Spain, a key member of the E.U., it could create a new crisis for the continent.

“The consequences could be devastating,” says Federiga Bindi, an expert on international relations at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.

After weeks of unrest, European lawmakers continue to urge both sides to work out a peaceful resolution.

“We are all part of the same community, and we need to go forward together,” Puigdemont says. “The only way forward is democracy and peace.”

Since the October 1 vote, the situation in Spain has become increasingly tense. Mariano Rajoy is Spain’s prime minister. Both he and Catalonia’s regional government have refused to back down. At press time, the Spanish government seemed to be moving to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy. The country appeared headed for a major clash.

Spain’s King Felipe VI has criticized Catalan leaders for what he calls their “disloyalty” and “irresponsible conduct.”

U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders of the E.U. also oppose Catalan secession. They fear that it could inspire other independence movements across the continent. That could threaten the strength of their alliance.

Europe is already dealing with a number of challenges. They include the decision by people in the United Kingdom to leave the E.U. (known as Brexit), high unemployment, and the record influx of refugees from the Middle East and Africa. Spain is a key member of the E.U. If Catalonia were to leave Spain, it could create a new crisis for the continent.

“The consequences could be devastating,” says Federiga Bindi, an expert on international relations at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.

After weeks of unrest, European lawmakers continue to urge the two sides to work out a peaceful agreement.

“We are all part of the same community, and we need to go forward together,” says Puigdemont. “The only way forward is democracy and peace.”