Barcelona wants out of Spain

One thing you will notice wandering the streets of Barcelona are the Catalunya (Catalonia) flags. They are draped from balconies, high on flag poles. Catalans are a proud people and the majority want independence from Spain. 

Catalunya is an autonomous community in Spain based on nationality, meaning it has a historic cultural identity. They have self government but send representatives to the national legislature. They can have their own laws, but are also subject to national laws. They pretty much control all aspects of their community. They pay taxes to the national government.

The independence movement started in 1922 with the formation of a political party advocating independence. They proclaimed a catalonia republic in 1931 and had autonomy. Franco abolished that in 1938 and catalan activists for independence were jailed.

After Franco died and Spain became a "democracy", Catalan leaders concentrated on autonomy rather than independence.

After Spains financial crisis in 2007-2008 and a political party's challenge to the autonomy statue (parts were declared unconstitutional), referendums were held on independence.

In 2014 a large majority voted for independence. There was a boycott of the referendum by pro unity parties so only half of voters turned out.  By this time the pro-independence parties controlled the Catalan legislature.

In 2017, a new referendum caused controversy nationally but the Catalan legislature passed a motion to declare independence .At the same time the Spanish legislature voted to take control of the region until elections could be held. Government leaders were arrested, some fled the country. They were put in prison. They were pardoned in 2021.

As of now, it's a holding pattern. There are ongoing negotiations which anger those who are adamant for independence. I don't think Spain will ever allow independence, Catalunya generates too much money for the country.

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October 20, 2022 at 07:32PM
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October 20, 2022 at 07:32PM