WHAT has been happening in Catalonia is eerily reminiscent of what took place in Scotland last year – politics is enjoying a resurgence as pro-independence parties look set to win control of the Spanish state’s parliament.
Together for Yes and the left-wing Popular Unity Party CUP, were last night on course to win a majority of the 135 seats in the Catalan assembly, a result which both said would enable them to unilaterally declare independence within 18 months.
Artur Mas, head of the regional government, said a split from Spain was the only way forward for Catalonia. The pro-independence parties’ plan would see the new Catalan authorities draw up their own constitution and prepare to build an army, a judicial system and a central bank.
Spain’s centrist government under Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has opposed any plans to hold an independence referendum. It has labelled the breakaway plan “a nonsense” and vowed to fight it in the courts.
Spain’s national parties are all trying to capture more votes in what is the country’s second most populous region, and say they are ready to discuss a more favourable tax regime along with increased infrastructure spending if they win December’s general election. Constitutional reform has also been suggested, to recognise Catalonia as a nation within the Spanish state.
Of course, the money men are also keeping an eye on the outcome. Spanish banks have warned that secession could cause financial turmoil and the Bank of Spain has said Catalonia could risk exiting the euro.
The warnings and negativity are all too familiar to us here in Scotland, where they were used extensively in last year’s indyref campaign. And we find ourselves asking again: why is it that the political establishments are so worried by the prospect of independence?
The promises, too, have more than a ring of familiarity about them. It’s like a Spanish version of The Vow – a sort of Devo Maximo – and we would caution our friends in the Catalan parliament to be very wary of politicians making promises.
We are very well aware of what happened to The Vow that Scotland was promised.
Catalonia says Yes: Pro-indy parties set to land a majority
Expectant mood in the streets of Spain as Yes alliance seeks a mandate
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