Showdown in Spain

Is Spain headed for a nasty breakup? Last month, people in the Spanish region of Catalonia voted to secede from Spain and form an independent nation.

The vote, which the Spanish government has declared illegal and unconstitutional, set off weeks of chaos and confusion. On the day of the referendum, nearly 900 people were injured when police officers attacked peaceful protesters and those attempting to cast ballots. In some places, police confiscated ballot boxes. Photos of the police dragging people out of polling stations by their hair, throwing others to the ground, and firing rubber bullets into crowds were broadcast around the world, prompting widespread outrage.

“Today the Spanish state wrote another shameful page in its history with Catalonia,” said Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s leader.

Is Spain headed for a nasty breakup? Last month, people in the Spanish region of Catalonia voted to split from Spain and form an independent nation.

The Spanish government declared the vote to be illegal and unconstitutional. The push for independence set off weeks of chaos and confusion. On the day of the referendum, police officers attacked peaceful protesters and those attempting to cast ballots. Nearly 900 people were injured. In some places, police confiscated ballot boxes. Photos of the police dragging people out of polling stations by their hair, throwing others to the ground, and firing rubber bullets into crowds were broadcast around the world. It prompted widespread outrage.

“Today the Spanish state wrote another shameful page in its history with Catalonia,” said Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s leader.

According to Catalan officials, 90 percent of voters backed independence. But turnout was relatively low: Just 43 percent of eligible voters—about 2.3 million people—cast ballots. Experts say many Catalans who oppose independence likely boycotted the referendum, not voting at all, while others may have stayed home because of the violence.

Since the vote, hundreds of thousands of people across Spain have taken to the streets in massive demonstrations both for and against Catalan independence. Those who favor secession say Catalonia, a wealthy region in northeast Spain (see map), would be better off on its own and that the Spanish government has too much control over their affairs. But other Catalans and Spain’s leaders worry that the region—and the country as a whole—would suffer economically if Catalonia were to become independent.

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has described the current crisis as “one of the worst moments in the recent history of democracy.”

According to Catalan officials, 90 percent of voters backed independence. But turnout was relatively low. Only 43 percent of eligible voters cast ballots. That’s about 2.3 million people. Experts say many Catalans who oppose independence likely boycotted the referendum, not voting at all. Others may have stayed home because of the violence.

Since the vote, hundreds of thousands of people across Spain have taken to the streets in massive demonstrations. They protested both for and against Catalan independence. Those who favor secession say Catalonia, a wealthy region in northeast Spain (see map), would be better off on its own and that the Spanish government has too much control over their affairs. But other Catalans and Spain’s leaders worry that the region and the country as a whole would suffer economically if Catalonia were to become independent.

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has described the current crisis as “one of the worst moments in the recent history of democracy.”

The stakes are incredibly high. Catalonia is a key industrial center that accounts for one-fifth of the Spanish economy. Its regional capital, Barcelona, is a major tourist destination that attracts 32 million visitors a year, bringing in billions of dollars annually. Catalonia’s withdrawal from Spain would have huge implications for the country as well as the rest of Europe—and even the United States, experts say.

“Europe is the United States’ most important ally,” says Federiga Bindi, an expert in international relations at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. “Together, they have worked to ensure peace and democracy. If Europe starts to implode, even here at home, we will be less safe.”

While it’s unclear what will happen next, tensions have undoubtedly reached a boiling point, says Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría: “Never have Catalonia and Spain endured a fracture like [this].”

The stakes are incredibly high. Catalonia is a key industrial center. It accounts for one-fifth of the Spanish economy. Its regional capital, Barcelona, is a major tourist destination. The city attracts 32 million visitors a year. That brings in billions of dollars annually. Catalonia’s withdrawal from Spain would have huge implications for the country, the rest of Europe, and even the United States, experts say.

“Europe is the United States’ most important ally,” says Federiga Bindi, an expert in international relations at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. “Together, they have worked to ensure peace and democracy. If Europe starts to implode, even here at home, we will be less safe.”

While it’s unclear what will happen next, tensions have undoubtedly reached a boiling point, says Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría: “Never have Catalonia and Spain endured a fracture like [this].”

Catalonia is one of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions and home to 7.5 million people—about 16 percent of the country’s total population. The region has its own language (Catalan), culture, and history dating back more than 1,000 years (see “Catalonia vs. Spain,” below). Many Catalans have long considered their region to be separate from Spain.

The modern fight for Catalan independence began to gain strength after the 1975 death of Spain’s longtime dictator, Francisco Franco. During his nearly 40-year reign, Franco took away much of Catalonia’s autonomy and suppressed the region’s culture. He outlawed the Catalan language, forced parents to choose Spanish names for their children, and executed or imprisoned thousands of people in an attempt to clamp down on opponents.

Over time, the oppression led to a renewed sense of Catalan nationalism and intensified Catalans’ desire for independence. 

Catalonia is one of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions. It’s home to 7.5 million people. That’s about 16 percent of the country’s total population. The region has its own language (Catalan), culture, and history dating back more than 1,000 years (see “Catalonia vs. Spain,” below). Many Catalans have long considered their region to be separate from Spain.

The modern fight for Catalan independence began to gain strength after the 1975 death of Spain’s longtime dictator, Francisco Franco. During his nearly 40-year reign, Franco took away much of Catalonia’s autonomy and suppressed the region’s culture. He outlawed the Catalan language, forced parents to choose Spanish names for their children, and executed or imprisoned thousands of people in an attempt to clamp down on opponents.

Over time, the oppression led to a renewed sense of Catalan nationalism. It also intensified Catalans’ desire for independence.

In 1978, the Spanish government responded by granting the region limited self-governing powers. For example, Catalonia oversees its own police force, schools, and hospitals. The Spanish government, meanwhile, controls taxes, foreign affairs, infrastructure, and other areas.

Still, over the years, the region has sought more autonomy. Catalan leaders defied the Spanish government in 2014 by holding a similar unofficial referendum, in which 80 percent of voters backed independence.

In addition to feelings of nationalism, many Catalans who support independence say the region gives too much money to the central government. According to some estimates, Catalonia pays about
20 percent of Spain’s taxes, some of which are used to fund development projects in poorer parts of the country.

In 1978, the Spanish government responded by granting the region limited self-governing powers. For example, Catalonia oversees its own police force, schools, and hospitals. The Spanish government, meanwhile, controls taxes, foreign affairs, infrastructure, and other areas.

Still, over the years, the region has sought more autonomy. Catalan leaders defied the Spanish government in 2014 by holding a similar unofficial referendum. At the time, 80 percent of voters backed independence.

In addition to feelings of nationalism, many Catalans who support independence say the region gives too much money to the central government. According to some estimates, Catalonia pays about 20 percent of Spain’s taxes. Spain uses some of this to fund development projects in poorer parts of the country.

Supporters of independence also note that Catalonia is a major industrial center. They say the region’s strong economy would make it viable as an independent country.

Guillem Carbonell Vidal is one of many young activists excited by the prospect of independence.

“We have been waiting for this moment for 300 years,” he told reporters.
“I am 18, and I will be able to live the way I want. We will be able to build a new future.”

But those who oppose independence are adamant that Catalonia is better off as part of Spain. It’s unlikely that an independent Catalonia would be allowed to join the European Union (E.U.), the political and economic partnership of 28 nations across Europe. Without E.U. membership, Catalonia would be at a disadvantage in terms of trade with other countries, and that could lead to the loss of jobs.

Several companies based in Catalonia, including major banks, have already announced plans to move their headquarters to different parts of Spain to ensure that they remain in the E.U.

Alejandro Marcos, 44, and other Catalans who oppose secession say their views are being overshadowed by those who favor independence.

“We have perhaps been silent too long,” he told reporters. “It seems that the one who yells the most wins the argument. So we have to raise our voices and say loud and clear that we do not want independence.”

Supporters of independence also note that Catalonia is a major industrial center. They say the region’s strong economy would make it viable as an independent country.

Guillem Carbonell Vidal is one of many young activists excited by the prospect of independence.

“We have been waiting for this moment for 300 years,” he told reporters. “I am 18, and I will be able to live the way I want. We will be able to build a new future.”

But those who oppose independence insist that Catalonia is better off as part of Spain. It’s unlikely that an independent Catalonia would be allowed to join the European Union (E.U.), the political and economic partnership of 28 nations across Europe. Without E.U. membership, Catalonia would be at a disadvantage in terms of trade with other countries. That could lead to the loss of jobs. 

Several companies based in Catalonia, including major banks, have already announced plans to move their headquarters to different parts of Spain. They want to ensure that they remain in the E.U.

Alejandro Marcos, 44, and other Catalans who oppose secession say their views are being overshadowed by those who favor independence.

“We have perhaps been silent too long,” he told reporters. “It seems that the one who yells the most wins the argument. So we have to raise our voices and say loud and clear that we do not want independence.”

Since the October 1 vote, the situation in Spain has become increasingly tense. Both sides have refused to back down. The Spanish government moved to suspend Catalonia’s regional autonomy while supporters of Catalan independence urged Catalans to engage in “massive civil disobedience.” At press time, the two sides seemed to be moving closer to a confrontation, pulling the country deeper into a major crisis.

Spain’s King Felipe VI, meanwhile, has criticized Catalan leaders for what he calls their “disloyalty” and “irresponsible conduct.”

If Catalonia were to leave Spain, a key member of the E.U., it could create a new crisis for the continent. President Donald Trump and leaders of the E.U. oppose Catalan secession, fearing that it could inspire other independence movements (see box, below) and threaten the strength of their alliance.

“The consequences could be devastating,” says Bindi, the Johns Hopkins professor.

After weeks of unrest, European lawmakers continue to urge both sides to work out a peaceful resolution.

“We are all part of the same community, and we need to go forward together,” says Puigdemont, Catalonia’s leader. “The only way forward is democracy and peace.”

Since the October 1 vote, the situation in Spain has become increasingly tense. Both sides have refused to back down. The Spanish government has suspended Catalonia’s regional autonomy. Supporters of Catalan independence have urged Catalans to engage in “massive civil disobedience.” At press time, the two sides seemed to be moving closer to a confrontation. It appeared that the country was heading deeper into a major crisis.

Spain’s King Felipe VI, meanwhile, has criticized Catalan leaders for what he calls their “disloyalty” and “irresponsible conduct.”

If Catalonia were to leave Spain, a key member of the E.U., it could create a new crisis for the continent. President Donald Trump and leaders of the E.U. oppose Catalan secession. They fear that it could inspire other independence movements (see box, below) and threaten the strength of their alliance.

“The consequences could be devastating,” says Bindi, the Johns Hopkins professor.

After weeks of unrest, European lawmakers continue to urge both sides to work out a peaceful resolution.

“We are all part of the same community, and we need to go forward together,” says Puigdemont, Catalonia’s leader. “The only way forward is democracy and peace.”

With reporting by Ellen Barry of The New York Times.

With reporting by Ellen Barry of The New York Times.