On Thursday, the Spanish Government said it is imposing direct rule on Catalonia from Saturday, blocking any move for independence following the October 1 referendum in which — despite the attempts of Spanish authorities to halt the ballot, with violence and occupation of many polling stations — 92% of voters gave support in a turnout of 42%.
In his first article for the BBC, Ellis Palmer offers a snapshot of views from the Catalan nation:
See also Catalonia: More than 2 Million Vote for Independence Despite Spanish Crackdown
Voices from Catalonia: Why I Will Vote for Independence Today
Until recently, Barcelona was a city best known for its football, architecture, climate, and culture. Few overseas were aware of the political tensions in the Catalan capital.
However, that has all changed.
On October 1, a disputed referendum was held in Catalonia, asking whether the region should be an independent state. This vote was suspended by Spain’s Constitutional Court, which later declared the result — which organisers said was a resounding “Yes” — void.
A little more than a week later, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont signed a declaration of independence but immediately suspended its implementation.
Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded by asking the Catalan government to clarify whether or not it had declared actual independence, setting a final deadline of 19 October for a response.
Madrid has threatened to suspend the region’s autonomy.
But what do those on the ground in Barcelona have to say?
Unionists
Anna*, law student
On independence: “It’s a step backwards in history, and a huge contradiction to the message of the EU; the notion of creating a community, not creating barriers. Politicians are leading people when it should be the people who lead politicians. I find it very, very sad.”
On losing autonomy: “Catalonia is [already] losing something worse than just its autonomy; it is losing businesses day after day. That’s what worries me as a young person soon to be entering the labour market.”
How would a breakaway affect you?: “I feel Catalan, yet I also feel Spanish. I do not see the sense of creating barriers in societies. Many things have to be changed, but independence is not the solution.”
Sofia*, postgraduate student
On independence: “The Catalan secessionist leaders need to put an end to the pro-independence project. There needs to be fresh elections to the Spanish and Catalan parliaments.”
On losing autonomy: “I’m afraid that the Catalan institutions are not exercising their legal and political obligations. One cannot lose autonomy that one is not exercising.”
How would a breakaway affect you?: “I fear it would lead to a loss of rights, economic instability, a lowering of or an inability to maintain pensions, an automatic EU exit, and greater unemployment across Catalan society.”
*Names changed to protect the interviewees’ anonymity
For Independence
Andrés da Silva, law and international politics student
On independence: “Catalonia is more likely to adapt and succeed if it is independent; it is also the only way to preserve the Catalan culture, history, identity, and language.”
On losing autonomy: “There are already research centers and universities that have had to suspend projects because the Spanish government has frozen their bank accounts. It is an aberration that I see to be the repression of Catalans.”
How would a breakaway affect you?: “An independent Catalonia is the only way for future generations to live in a socially fair and economically prosperous country. I do not want my children to live in a country that constantly scorns the Catalan identity and its symbols.”
Jordi, intern at the Catalan interior ministry
On independence: “Not only is there an unwillingness to negotiate over the independence of Catalonia, there is also an absolute denial of dialogue about the possibility of a legal referendum with all possible democratic guarantees. Renouncing independence is to return to a time more than 40 years ago, and to lose everything that has been fought for over decades.”
On losing autonomy: “The fear that Catalonia will lose its autonomy is always there.”
How would a breakaway affect you?: “The impact on my life will be important, as well as [the lives] of everyone. Personally, I could lose my job at the service of the Catalan administration.”
