Catalan independence, a dead end

A Look at the News – Diego Taboada

The 1^er Next October, Catalans are invited to vote on the independence of their region. This referendum, decided unilaterally by regional authorities, is illegal and unconstitutional, although it is supported by a significant portion of Catalan society.

A fruitless power struggle is unfolding between the Catalan «government» and the central government. Believing themselves to be on a mission to save the people, the separatists pride themselves on representing the «true» Catalan people, whom they claim have been oppressed and exploited by Spain for centuries. They are forcing through legislation in parliament and disregarding judicial rulings in the name of «the nation’s interest.» Their arrogance even leads them to deny the existence of Catalans who oppose independence.

The central government, for its part, has failed to rise to the occasion. The half-hearted condemnations from a government that has long been in denial—and prefers to pass the matter on to the courts rather than take responsibility—are having no effect. Scrutinizing the region’s finances, destroying voting equipment: these are merely «half-measures» intended to minimize the impact of the referendum. Hardliners in the ruling People’s Party are suggesting direct intervention by the Civil Guard. This is a godsend for the independence supporters, who would portray themselves as victims of «fascism.» All this in a country still haunted by the dark days of the dictatorship.

Next Sunday, independence will likely be declared. And then what? Neither the European Union nor the UN seems to be paying much attention to the Catalan authorities’ posturing. The uncertainty created by this legal quagmire will have consequences. Will local investors relocate to remain within the EU? Will Madrid’s laws continue to apply in Catalonia? An institutional deadlock that will long hinder the economic recovery of a country that seemed (at last) to be on the right track.

Write to the author: diego.taboada@bluewin.ch

Photo credit: © moutonnier.com