Ritty Tomichen | Reporter
Catalonia situated to the North East part of Spain, home to FC Barcelona, the Sagrada Família and the Picasso Museum. A rich, vibrant region of Spain which has contributed immensely to the country. So why the illegal independence poll?
On the 1st of October, 2.2 million took to the polling station to cast their vote on independence from Spain. 90% backed to split from Spain, however Spanish authorities claimed the referendum was illegal and sent police force, including Catalonia’s own units, to arrest the voting organisers and to put an end to the voting. With over 900 injured as well as 33 police officers, Spain is facing it’s worst political crisis yet.
Catalonia’s leader, Carles Puigdemont, had told the BBC that they will announce independence in a matter of days on the 4 of October. Also it is suggested that those who are against the Spanish authorities have mostly gone in favour for the exit.
Eventhough the Catalonia region has its own police force – the Mossos d’Esquadra – its own flag and language, what will it do without any customs regulations, air traffic control or even proper international relations? Catalonia really needs to pull together and rethink if the breakup is practical.
To bring things to light, yesterday took place a unity rally where 350,000 joined in Barcelona with banners quoting ‘Catalonia is Spain’
Many interviewed during the rally feel both Catalan and Spanish and do not want to lose their belonging. With such unification dating more than 500 years, a 43% turnout vote may not be enough to separate the two.
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