Catalan Uprising

[daib0]

My saddest day ever, living in Spain. Here's a quick general explanation from my part.

Catalunya has 16.7% of the total Spanish population - and several million more than Scotland - big, but of course it will never ever have a majority of the MPs on Spanish soil. But Madrid says this independence vote is against the law. It has to be done from Madrid. Up to here good. But where it goes off-course is that any change has to be voted for by ALL Spanish people and not just those from Catalonia. Impossible to go ahead then. Why? Because although Catalunya has 16.7% of the population it produces OVER one-quarter of the wealth of Spain. Politicians and people of other regions are only interested in the economy, we all know that, so they'll NEVER allow a vote like Scotland.

What has really inspired this recent uprising in nationalism is that the Catalans voted for an amplification of autonomy status - and perfectly legally, approved by Madrid! - in 2010. It was widely approved by the regional population. But the PP (right-wing) party got worried that they might now get too much regional power, and went to the high Constitutional Court to get it overturned. And did so. Because the Spanish jurisdiction is very much politically influenced. THAT is what really started to fuel the big independence drive - people thought "if we get no respect for our views and legally binding vote, we might as well go it alone".

Back 10-15 years ago you'd find independence sentiments at about 17-20%. Now it's somewhere between 42 and 58%, depending on which parties they include in the equation. But it's growing VERY fast, 90% of youngsters voting first time want Catalonia as an independent country.

So Mr. Mariano Rajoy has one hell of a problem tonight. This is not going to go away ... far from it.

Scenes like this are truly shocking, towards pacific people - and there are DOZENS of videos now coming out of this type:

https://twitter.com/RitaBosaho/status/914489304130424832

https://twitter.com/JulianAssange/status/914442627910705152

Makes me ASHAMED to have gained dual nationality

David

[Baszab]

Excellent summary .... would Spain let Barcelona into La  Liga after a split or would there be a Catalan first division ?!

[daib0]

Excellent summary .... would Spain let Barcelona into La  Liga after a split or would there be a Catalan first division ?!

no idea, but I get your point!
Certainly looking nasty tonight - politicians are trying to censure TV coverage, especially on the TVE national channels. But twitter and Facebook are showing the way with real videos ...

[Fernhurst]

Stay safe young man

[Baszab]

Having seen the Garda Civil in action - it wouldn't take much to send Spain back to 1936

[grandad]

I live in the Murcia Region which is a couple of Provinces from Cataluña. It is all quiet here as we live inland in a small mostly Spanish Urbanization. I hate to see countries tear themselves apart. I wish I ewre able to have dual Spanish/ UK citizenship but it is not possible.
Luckily my wife & I have what they call Grandparents rights so we are fully integrated into the Spanish Health system. We have permanent Residence, are Tax registered so will not be affected by any changes to the reciprocal Health Agreement.
Having worked in A&E in the UK before I retired I can honestly say that the Health care we receive here is vastly superior. I can go online tomorrow morning & always get a next day appointment with my doctor. Sorry I went a bit off tangent with the OP.

[daib0]

no worries grandad. Me, I've got a Spanish wife (born in Catalonia but her parents are from Andalusia), and two 'Spanglish' children.

Looks like the two leaders of the Catalan regional government are opening up the doors to a possible declaration of outright independence second half of this coming week. The fact that they are not allowed to have a nationally agreed referendum makes them want to use this one, with all its shortcomings, as definitive.

It's not a case of Catalonia being rich and not wanting to help the poorer off regions, this has all to do with Madrid being the big boss and not listening to the Catalan voice during many a year. It's against the capital, but not against any Spanish region as such.

The Basque push has diminished somewhat but there is still a sizeable chunk of the population who are for the cause still which could/might reignite if they see a free and successful Catalonia. In fact, I live on the edge of the Basque region, in Navarre ... 

[Otter idiot]

I can't believe a government would do this to their people. I'm seeing videos of protestors with their hands in the air being battered with no provocation by police. Gutless despicable thugs.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[aaronmcguigan]

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The referendum is a matter for the Spanish government and people.

"We want to see Spanish law and the Spanish constitution respected and the rule of law upheld.

"Spain is a close ally and a good friend, whose strength and unity matters to us."

If Spain is such a good friend, have the decency to tell your mate to wise up and treat its people, regardless of their voting intentions, with a modicum of decency and respect.
There is absolutely no way in which the actions of today can be seen as positive action by Spain.
That statement above is from the UK Foreign Office, which basically says "Yea I can see my mate beating someone up but I'm not going to tell them to stop because it's none of my business..."

[BedsFFC]

That statement above is from the UK Foreign Office, which basically says "Yea I can see my mate beating someone up but I'm not going to tell them to stop because it's none of my business..."

I wouldn't say beating "someone" up. More like beating my children up.