By Denis Navickas
Introduction
Catalonia is an autonomous region lying in the northeastern corner of Spain and it’s independence movement has deep roots spanning centuries of rich history and cultural heritage. Home to the famous city of Barcelona, its people share a unique culture and language (called ‘Catalan’), which makes it unsurprising that there are many who seek the establishment of a Catalan republic independent of Spain. However, it would be grossly deceptive to suggest this is something all Catalonians unanimously want. In fact, this debate has, in recent years, ruthlessly divided the region. There are those for, those against, and many more caught in the crossfire, disorientated and trying to keep up with the brutal friction of Catalan politics.
History of the movement
The beginnings of the Catalan seperatist movement emerged in the mid-19th century, when the Renaixença (Catalan cultural renaissance) stimulated nationalist sentiments and inspired an urge for some degree of independence among many Catalonians. Since then, the movement has had its ups and downs; perhaps its darkest moment came in the Spanish Civil War, when the Catalan Republican army suffered defeat in the Battle of the Ebro, leading to the occupation of Catalonia by General Franco’s Nationalist forces in 1938. The same year, Franco abolished both the region’s Statute of Autonomy and the Generalitat, the institutional government of Catalonia. The dictator’s reign saw nearly 40 years of repression of the region’s culture and language; any kind of activities associated with Catalan nationalism as well as use of Catalan in the mass media were forbidden.
Upon his death in 1975, the Catalan people breathed a sigh of relief and voted overwhelmingly in favour of adopting a democratic Spanish constitution. Subsequently, the region regained many of its previous freedoms; political and cultural autonomy, a restored Generalitat, and a new Statute of Autonomy defining the rights, obligations, and political institutions of Catalonia, as well as its relations with the rest of Spain. This rendered pro-independence groups and parties virtually extinct; the majority of Catalonians were perfectly satisfied with the level of autonomy they had achieved within Spain.
The modern independence movement as we know it today saw its beginnings after regional elections were held in 2003, when the new Catalan government drafted a new Statute of Autonomy, which was approved by a large majority in the Generalitat. After several changes were made by the Spanish parliament, the Catalan people reluctantly agreed to the amended Statute in the subsequent referendum, despite one of the governing parties calling for a ‘no’ vote in protest. However, the Statute suffered even more hits when the conservative ‘Popular Party’ (PP) challenged its constitutionality in the Spanish High Court of Justice, leading to even more restrictive changes. All this contributed to support for Catalan independence enjoying a rise in popularity across the region; a series of symbolic independence referendums were held in municipalities across Catalonia as well as several demonstrations. The independence movement was reborn.
The different views
Catalan nationalists say that secession would solve a lot of the problems Catalonia currently faces. For example, they maintain that the Spanish government does not have sufficient respect for Catalonia’s unique identity, and fear that their culture is at risk of being absorbed. Independence would allow Catalonia to protect their culture and identity, as well as preserve the Catalan language. Furthermore, the region contributes billions to the Spanish government in taxes each year and receives, nationalists say, very little back economically; the arrangement has pushed Catalonia into debt, meaning this generally wealthy region struggles to provide basic services to its people. So, Catalan nationalists believe that the region should take back control of their finances, and that independence is the best way to do so.
However, this is far from the only viewpoint. In fact, a government poll in 2019 found that 48.8% of Catalan citizens reject independence from Spain, compared to 41.9% who are in favour. These Catalan ‘constitutionalists’ believe Catalonia is better off as an autonomous region in Spain and assert independence is incompatible with the Spanish constitution, which speaks of the “indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation”. These people typically consider themselves Spanish first and Catalan second, and feel that their identity is threatened by the push for secession. They also often argue that it would throw Catalonia’s economy into a chaos from which it might not recover - the region would have to fight to stabilise its economy, save its banks, and remain attractive to foreign investors. As well as this, Catalonia would have to reapply to rejoin the European Union, the eurozone, and the EU’s single market, a process which would take years and potentially face many hurdles - constitutionalists see this as a betrayal of Catalonia’s strong European identity.
Unfortunately for the nationalist side, any attempts thus far to hold a referendum on independence have been blocked by the uncompromising Spanish government, sometimes violently. Both the 2014 and 2017 attempts were declared illegal and in 2017 Spain’s president Mariano Rajoy of the PP party not only dissolved the Catalan parliament, triggering new regional elections, but also sent in 10,000 agents to the region to stop the vote from taking place. They did so, employing rubber bullets and baton charges against any citizens trying to cast their vote. The scenes of police brutality were met with international outcry and shock. Following the subsequent political power struggle in Catalonia between nationalists, constitutionalists, and the Spanish government, 9-13 year prison sentences were dished out to several prominent Catalan leaders, who were accused of sedition, misuse of public funds, and disobedience. This only added fuel to the fire; the verdict of the Supreme Court was followed by multiple violent protests across the region. It is clear that Spain is determined to hold onto Catalonia by any means necessary, and its government has, during negotiations with the Catalan nationalist parties, made clear that independence is off the table.
To conclude
Now, the issue of independence in Catalonia is at a standstill. There’s a pro-independence majority in the Generalitat, but with strong opposition in the form of Catalan constitutionalists and the Spanish government, the movement is stuck. No one wants to repeat the political dumpster fire that was the last two attempts at a referendum. Regardless, this is an issue which needs a political solution - many Catalonians continue to feel frustrated, left behind by their government, tired of the constant fighting between the two main sides. Only time will tell how the issue will play out, and if Catalonia will ever become an independent nation.
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