Mr Romero’s worries reflect an increasingly bitter debate in this wealthy corner of north-east Spain as it prepares for elections that could bring a unilateral declaration of independence within 18 months. Most polls show an absolute majority for independence in parliamentary seats, but not in popular votes. “There is a majority of Catalans that love their people and that love their land, and because they love it they do not want to see it amputated from Spain and from Europe”, he said.
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The Parliament shall be formed 20 days after the election, and the deadline is determined by an executive order of the President of the Generalitat. Meanwhile, Spanish Unionists are launching a hail of doom-laden forecasts for a hypothetical Catalonia.
Juan Mellen, spokesman for the Catalan Civil Society (SCC), a group which opposes the breakup of Spain, told VICE News that a Catalan government pursuing independence would turn neighbors against one another.
Spain’s prosperous north-eastern region of Catalonia will be watched closely by the national government in Madrid on Sunday as the vote for pro-independence parties could pave the way towards a slow – but sure – move towards succession from Spain. Catalonia only has 17 percent of Spain’s population, but represents nearly a quarter of the economy. If it wins, Together for Yes plans to lay the groundwork for secession and hold the plebiscite Madrid has prohibited.
The Peruvian-Spanish Nobel Prize-winning writer Mario Vargas Llosa said an independent Catalonia would be a “little country marginalised and governed by fanatical mediocrities”. After all, following through on those threats – from a freeze on bank deposits to permanent exclusion from the European Union – would harm everyone, especially those who are making them.
“I understand that is down to politicians to discuss, while Barca will show it is neutral”, he said.
Jordi Aparicio, 27, said he was born in southern Spain, but now lives in the port city of Tarragona – which is just an hour’s drive from Barcelona. “The idea being that it’s not in the EU’s interest to have this problem”. They have done this with the help of pseudo-left forces both inside and outside the pro-independence ticket, such as Podem and CUP.
With its own distinct language and cultural traditions, Catalonia accounts for a fifth of Spain’s economic output. If the yes campaign fails to win a majority, Catalonia will continue its protracted struggle with Madrid. “The alternative is simply anti-democratic, anti-European and potentially explosive”. “If Spain refuses to cooperate with us, we will declare independence unilaterally”.
Depending on what party or parties will rule in Madrid after the general vote, there could even be a constitutional change that could include recognition of Catalonia as a nation within the Spanish state. As one Catalan regional minister said last December, “If this country had not put forward a discourse based on nationalism, how would it have weathered adjustments [cuts] of over 6,000 million euros?”
But there is also a kind of imperial myopia on the Spanish side of the quarrel. There are many parties with different positions on welfare, taxation, and the environment. Even if Mas were to remain president, he could be dependent on CUP support.
Catalan producers have much to offer the Russian market: fruit and vegetables, oils and sparkling wines, metal products and plastics. (Prime Minister Maraino) Rajoy’s government is always pressing the independents with its economic and anti-Catalan social policy. Are the polls correct that those pedaling a “yes” vote will win control of the Catalan Parliament? However, Greenwood claims, the government will tread carefully for fear of escalating the situation and “creating a siege mentality”.
“We are in the 21st century, not the middle ages”, he said. For decades, and especially around election time, the capital’s conservative leadership has stressed the drastic consequences of Catalan independence. “It was a question of freedom of expression”, he said.
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“Not coming to a civilized agreement would also hurt [Spain]”.
