Catalan Secession: Now or Never
Secessionist movements within Europe have gained significant traction over the last few years as international media outlets and the Internet have magnified the voices of those seeking independence. The Catalan movement is a germane example, as the repercussions of an eventual “divorce” with Spain have been discussed by the New York Times, Le Monde, and Business Insider alike. This spike in media coverage will continue to grow as Spain dives fully into election season, with the Catalan parliamentary elections set to take place on September 27 and the national elections, tentatively, on December 20. The outcomes of these elections will undoubtedly shape the future of Catalonia, Spain, and Europe as a whole, for years to come.
In November 2014, the Catalan government in northeastern Spain, headed by Artur Mas, held a referendum asking the citizens of Catalonia a two part question: “Do you want Catalonia to become a State?” and “If yes, do you want that State to become independent?” Although the referendum was declared illegal by the Spanish judiciary, the Catalan government proceeded to hold it, with participation nearing 40% of Catalonia’s population. The final results showed that 44.3% favored independence while 55.7% wanted to remain in Spain. Notwithstanding the lack of legal mechanisms put in place to ensure impartiality, many both in and out of Catalonia praised the referendum as an act of civic protest against the uncompromising resolve of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s government.
With less than a month left until the Catalan parliamentary elections, every relevant party is under the microscope. Just last week, police entered the offices of Mr. Mas’ party, Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC), under a judicial warrant claiming the CDC had received illegal commissions from a construction company. This scandal is likely to further maim the secessionist movement and undermine Mr. Mas’ argument that an independent Catalonia would be less corrupt than a unified Spain. In a few weeks, Catalans will cast their ballots and decide their future. If the CDC achieves a parliamentary majority, Mas has stated, Catalonia will secede from Spain within six months. For him, independence is now or never.