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Title: IS SPAIN ON THE BRINK? Tensions Mount As Catalan Independence Referendum Draws Near
Source:
DailyWire
URL Source: http://www.dailywire.com/news/21371 ... alan-independence-tyler-dahnke
Published: Sep 21, 2017
Author: Tyler Dahnke
Post Date: 2017-09-21 15:30:06 by Tooconservative
Keywords: None
Views: 1123
Comments: 8
Well… if they’re allowed to vote that is. Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy and the central government in Madrid have declared that any referendum which poses the question of whether to secede from Spain is unconstitutional and illegal and will not be allowed to take place. After the central government’s announcement, huge protests sprang up throughout the region, especially in Barcelona. The local Catalan government, which has not faltered in its insistence that the vote will still take place, is now experiencing huge pushback from the central government as the referendum date nears. According to Euro News, "Spanish police have already seized Catalan government-produced leaflets and posters urging voters to back the ‘yes’ campaign." Yahoo News reported that, "police had seized 'close to 10 million ballot papers' destined for a vote deemed illegal by Madrid and the courts." And then, on Wednesday, Spanish police began arresting top Catalan officials, leading Catalonia’s Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Family to say, "Catalonia is now in a state of siege." The New York Times notes that Catalan separatist leaders "have accused Mr. Rajoy of plunging Catalonia into a state of emergency rather than negotiating the terms of a referendum." Tensions are growing, and according to the Times, Catalonia’s Foreign Affairs Chief, Raül Romeva, said that, “Catalonia would hold the referendum as planned, and that Catalan lawmakers would act to honor the result within 48 hours – meaning they would declare independence unilaterally if people voted for it." And the people may well vote for it. AFP reports that polls show that, "while Catalans are sharply divided on whether they want independence or not, a large majority would like to vote to settle the matter." If the region does choose secession, it could result in civil war. Catalan’s independence would be a large blow to Spain’s economy. In 2015, a CNBC report found that Catalonia was responsible for about 20% of Spain’s 2013 GDP. The small region also "represents about 25 percent of all Spanish exports, and it accounted for 23% of all Spanish industry." With many officials and separatist supporters doubling down on their commitment to the vote, and the country’s central government using increasingly heavy-handed tactics to quell the movement, Spain may be lighting a fuse that will be difficult to put out. For now, the United States appears to have chosen to stay out of the mix, issuing a brief statement from the U.S. Embassy in Madrid that described Catalan independence pressures as an "internal issue" for Spain to figure out on its own. Poster Comment: I like their flag. 
For years, there has been a growing movement for independence from Spain in Catalonia, a prosperous region that includes the city of Barcelona. Since 1977, Catalan has enjoyed limited autonomy from the Spanish government and in 2006, Catalonian citizens approved the Statute of Autonomy for Catalonia by referendum vote, establishing the framework for Catalonia’s autonomous government. In 2010, the Statute of Autonomy was struck down by Spanish Government Constitutional Courts, which reignited the independence debate. And now, on October 1st, 2017, citizens of Catalonia will vote in a major referendum that could decide the future of the region.
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#1. To: Tooconservative (#0)
And they may well be prevented from doing so.
You seem to always side with strict government control no matter the nation. Why is that?
They may well be prevented from voting because Spain said so, Spain sent one ship with 17,000 riot police, another 4,000 Guardia Civil, and still more boatloads of riot police, and threw a dozen of the Catalonian politicians in jail. When one side has all the power, and is willing to use it, I choose that side as likely to prevail. Of course, you would claim that Super Pajama Boy will prevail.
Do you understand the underlying reasons for potential secession? Why doesn't the government use diplomacy as opposed to your love of "force?"
I understand the reasons for potential secession or rebellion. I understand that Spain is not just going to let Catalonia go, any more than the Brits will let Gibraltar go. The Spain will go kick ass in that part of Spain because they can. They will not ask for my advice or approval. They will not exercise diplomacy as the vote has already been held illegal, and they will treat the rebellious group as rebels. The Guardia Civil does not have a reputation for congenial diplomacy. You are free to preach your diplomacy to them, and if you are really smooth, maybe you can get a hat. Mariano Rajoy says region must stop ‘escalating’ independence standoff after thousands protest at police raids government buildings in Barcelona The central government in Madrid says the breakaway region's referendum is illegal http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41331152 20 September 2017 From the section Europe Spanish police have detained 14 Catalan officials and raided regional government ministries involved in organising an independence vote declared illegal by Spain's government. Tensions were already high before Josep Maria Jové, number two in the Catalan vice-presidency, and others were held. [...]
It's hard to imagine the Catalonians are as determined to escape the Spanish yoke as were the Irish to win their independence from their cruel British oppressors. They would have a greater chance of success if the Basque were more determined to secede from Spain.
While the majority wanted a vote, a majority of those who wanted a vote, wanted to vote "NO." I read it as about an 8-point margin. As for the Basques, their geographic area also includes part of France.
I think you're right. No secession. Some scattered protests. We've had the same stuff over Puerto Rican statehood for a long time. We should be so lucky that they would choose independence...
And the people may well vote for it.
#2. To: nolu chan (#1)
And they may well be prevented from doing so.
#3. To: buckeroo (#2)
You seem to always side with strict government control no matter the nation.
#4. To: nolu chan (#3)
When one side has all the power, and is willing to use it, I choose that side as likely to prevail.
#5. To: buckeroo (#4)
Do you understand the underlying reasons for potential secession? Why doesn't the government use diplomacy as opposed to your love of "force?"
Spain crisis: 'stop this radicalism and disobedience,' PM tells Catalan leaders
Spanish police storm Catalan government buildings to stop independence referendum
Catalonia referendum: Spain steps up raids to halt vote
#6. To: nolu chan, buckeroo (#5)
(Edited)
I understand the reasons for potential secession or rebellion. I understand that Spain is not just going to let Catalonia go, any more than the Brits will let Gibraltar go.
#7. To: Tooconservative (#6)
It's hard to imagine the Catalonians are as determined to escape the Spanish yoke as were the Irish to win their independence from their cruel British oppressors.
#8. To: nolu chan (#7)
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