In a piece I read earlier today, there have been several opinion polls carried out in Catalonia recently asking if they wanted independence from Spain and very few people did. Today’s fiasco is being carried out by hard line fanatics who don't have the support of most of the people. That applies to both sides, sadly.
A poll 2 months ago showed 41% in favour of independence, 49% against. I suspect that after today, the 41% figure will have risen considerably
They're a bit like the Scots, they like their identity but realize that they couldn't survive as a independent country. (Unlike the English)
It's quite a wealthy part of Spain apparently, and pays more than its way. So no comparison with Scotland there then!
Agree it's like all the 'remoaners' here wanting another referendum, it just makes people more determined to leave.
In the news yes as the situation is taking place in Spain however the Catalan people view their region in both Spain and France The heartland is in Spain near the town of Grimsby
Catalonia has won 90.09% of the vote for independence from Spain. Here's a list of active separatists movements in Europe. Who's next? The Catalans have opened a can of worms ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_separatist_movements_in_Europe
Apparently they may declare Independence this week. Which will the first country to recognize them, North Korea?
That's higher than the piece I read was suggesting, but I've no reason to doubt it. I think you're correct that some people who weren't bothered will now feel differently. The Spanish government seems to have permitted some bad behaviour against their own people. The Catalan government is pushing against that like a wilful child having a tantrum, knowing some people will get hurt. Time will tell if it serves either sides purpose or not.
There are plenty of very small countries, many in Europe, which survive very well. Catalonian and other ‘independence’ movements are tapping into exactly the same insecurities and fears that coloured the Brexit and Trump votes, some kind of reassertion of identity and tribe (Trump is an unashamed tribal politician) in a globalised world. Apparently the Catalan vote had a turnout of about 43% of the electorate, 90% of whom voted for independence. Looks like the ones who were brave enough to face the riot police were the hard line secessionists. If the cretinous Spanish government had not interfered there was a very high chance that they would have got the result they wanted. And the Catalan Government had said if the vote had gone against independence, that would be that, end of attempts to leave.
People are not happy with government in Europe and like the U.K. think they can do better solo The Spanish and French Catalans The French and Spainish Basques Both strong United regions and in that I hope people on here can once and for all understand that the U.K. is divided and nowhere near the required unification on Brexit When you have the total will of the people only then can things happen Look at our Brexit what’s the current situation ... division I am simply not going to pay for it and will get out . I want to travel away each weekend to explore new things with Ryanair If people want to live the U.K. routine in continuous debt then no problem it’s your choice but you are not dragging me down