Faith Sindick | Reporter
Jack Mitchell-Divers | Editor-In-Chief
On Tuesday evening the President of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont signed a document that declared Catalonia’s independence from Spain but then said it would not activated for several weeks. On Fiesta Nacional de España Pro-Spain protestors threw chairs to the Pro-Catalonia protestors on the streets of Barcelona before being split up by the police.
Official figures have been released, revealing a vote of 2,044,038 Catalonians for independence – contrasting against a minute 177,547 against.
This massive margin surely should signal to the Spanish government that there is overwhelming support within Catalonia to break away from Spain.
Why then, in the interests of democracy, have Spain taken such a firm stance to Catalonia’s national allegiance?
Before we answer this question, it’s important to clear up the facts on the situation.
The Referendum
1. The independence referendum was approved by the Catalan parliament which, although suspended by the Spanish Court, went ahead illegally.
2. This prompted the Spanish government to order police forces to prevent voting, resulting in hundreds injured at polling stations across Catalonia.
3. Due to the conflict, concerns have been risen on the legitimacy of the referendum result. Although over 2 million voted to leave, a further 3 million didn’t vote at all.
The Aftermath
1. Catalan leaders then formally declared Catalan to be an independent republic – but then immediately suspended this implementation.
2. President Puigdemont then announced his desire for negotiations on Catalonia’s exit.
3. Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy then accused the Catalonian parliament by causing confusion and unrest, giving Puigdemont five days to clarify his declaration.
The charged will of a nation is now dangling on frayed strings as political leaders from either side fight to be the puppeteer. However, it’s not really clear who’s Punch and Judy yet.
To be sympathetic to Catalonians is a given; their most essential trait, nationality, is hanging in the balance. A quintessential trait to declare and take pride in has fallen victim to bureaucratic interference and political meddling.
Spain on one hand has the utmost authority to retain Catalonia. With the constitutional powers demonstrated during the referendum and political superiority, it’s firmly in the Spanish interest – and ability – to do so.
On the other, the case for Catalonian independence takes us back to the traumatic September of 2014. Without imposing undue flashbacks, it can confidently be said that the charged will of a nation is a powerful force to contend with – especially when it comes to the tantalizing opportunity of freedom. However, it also has the vindictive power to frack a nation in two, leaving fissures that can last for decades.
Such is the case for the history of Catalonia, persistently chasing freedom. Years of dismissal have instilled in many a desire to take action. Finally, now rallied behind Puigdemont, they now have a feasible opportunity to achieve their dream of independence.
All that stands before freedom is the geopolitical agendas of the most influential players within a continental bureaucratic superpower.
At least Spain will continue to have a chance in the world cup after an independence breakaway.
