As much as Brexit has been a conflict between the United Kingdom and European Union, the Catalan independence movement has been the center piece of European geo-politics for the last six months.
The independent-run government within Catalonia has been at direct odds with the Spanish government for a month now, ever since the 1-O illegal referendum was conducted on October 1st. Since then, a stand-off has been created between the central government, headed by Mariano Rajoy; and the independent coalition – spearheaded by Carles Puigdemont. Puigdemont and his government had initially planned to declare a unilateral independence following the “win” of the October 1st vote, yet suspended that same declaration on the same day on October 10th.
As a result, Rajoy has requested for Puigdemont to remove any ambiguity and to declare whether Catalonia is an independent nation. Until the present day, Puigdemont has refused to clarify his position on Catalonia’s status. If the independent leader acknowledges that he indeed did declare independence, then Rajoy and the central government have the right to intervene and forcibly remove any decentralized power the Catalan region has and reinstate a direct rule from the Spanish capital. If Puigdemont admits that the region stays at the status quo, then he risks discontent from the more radical fringes of the independent parties and risk a revolt within his coalition.
Despite this predicament, Puigdemont has ultimately refused to clarify. Rajoy will request the Senate of Spain to force the ruling coalition in Catalonia to relinquish their power and force a regional election within six months. Several questions arise from this course of action: Will Puigdemont, who has refused to cooperate with Spain’s central government, now relinquish his position?; What will be the reaction of the Catalan populace throughout the Northeastern region of Spain?; Will the continuation of the exodus of many Spanish and international companies have a more drastic effect on the opinion polls regarding independence? And ultimately, how powerful will the resolves be between the independent and unifying parties and factions with the region?
Michael Skok
Political Editor
KATALOG FIRM W INTERNECIE
