... integrity
The Catalan Independence Referendum held on October 1, 2017, and the subsequent declaration of independence approved by Catalonia’s Parliament provoked a major political and constitutional crisis in Spain, the worst since the country transitioned to democracy forty years ago. Madrid’s assumption of control over the region ... ...
At the other flank, polls predict major success for the Citizens party with its Catalan roots and consistent stance against separatism (it proposed invoking Article 155 much earlier than Rajoy did). At the same time, the possibility of pooling forces ...
...., a unitary state with elements of a federation, which should develop towards a genuine federation. Reforming the constitution so that the country takes on aspects of a federation would include recognizing the “distinctive character” of Catalonia as a result of its history, culture and language, with reform being essential for finally “integrating it into Spain” [3].
How will the Mariano Rajoy government respond to the challenge of Catalan separatism? The answer takes on added importance because in less than three months, on December 20, Spain will face perhaps the most important parliamentary elections in its modern history. The ruling party is expected to meet with strong opposition, ...
... legislation does not allow membership of regions separating themselves from the member states, it does not prohibit it either. The legal question remains open. That being said, it is hard to imagine all the EU member states agreeing unanimously to accept Catalonia should the region actually apply for membership. Spain itself and other EU members dealing with regional separatism are unlikely to support the application.
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Meanwhile, there are divisions within the winning camp itself. Josep Antoni Duran i Lleida, President of the Democratic Union of Catalonia – one of the CiU’s two constituent ...
... traditional privileges were revoked. The Catalan language was ousted from different spheres of public life and replaced with Spanish (Castilian).
In the middle of the 17th century, dissatisfaction with the policies of Madrid grew into open calls of separatism. Catalonia was swept over by a revolt (the Reapers’ War) aimed at achieving secession from Spain. The rebellion was suppressed in 1652. The folk-song “The Reapers” which appeared during this period has become the symbol of Catalan resistance and is currently the national anthem of Catalonia.
In the middle of the 17th century, dissatisfaction ...
... “Europe of Regions”, which dictates the need to increase self-external relations. It is also clear that the collapse of a number of multinational states (USSR, Yugoslavia, and Czechoslovakia) has strengthened the disintegration processes in Spain.
Basque Country: varieties of separatism
In the Basque Country and Catalonia, an important part of the ideological arsenal of the separatists is played by a myth-making process, artificial designed traditions "of an ancient sovereign nation", while rejecting the actually existing traditions that bind these ...
