Political tension in Spain peaks this week in the countdown to a vote in Catalonia that could lead the region to declare independence, potentially breaking up one of Europe’s oldest nations.
The prospect of the rich northeastern region of 7.5 million people seceding from Spain has transformed the election on Sunday for the regional parliament into a battle for Spain’s future.
Catalan nationalists are pitted against the Spanish government, which has heavyweight backing from the likes of US President Barack Obama.
Photo: AFP
Pressure on Generalitat of Catalonia President Artur Mas and his allies has mounted over the past two weeks, with banks, businesses and European leaders warning of the high stakes.
Madrid has blocked Mas from following Scotland’s example by holding a straight referendum on independence, so he has framed the regional election as an indirect plebiscite.
Polls show pro-secession candidates could win a majority in the 135-seat Catalan parliament on Sunday.
If they win, Mas has vowed to push through an 18-month roadmap to secession for the region, which accounts for one-fifth of Spain’s economy.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has rolled out the big guns in response, securing the backing of several world leaders in his opposition to secession.
Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron called for Spain to stay united, after German Chancellor Angela Merkel also backed Rajoy.
The European Commission reiterated its warning that Catalonia would drop out of the EU if it broke away from Spain. Mas claims that in practice, the bloc would never let his region go.
Various economic lobbies have warned against secession, including Catalonia’s main business association, Foment del Trabell, which said it could cause “enormous financing difficulties.”
Mas claims Madrid is orchestrating an intimidation campaign against independence.
However, “the more they mobilize, the more votes we pile up,” he said at a rally on Friday.
The Catalan question fills countless newspaper columns — mostly anti-independence — and prompts television interviews with politicians and experts.
The battle is also being fought on the ground, with Rajoy’s Popular Party canvassing in Catalonia, where it is largely unwelcome.
Rajoy has been criticized for going after Mas in the courts instead of negotiating with him and for ignoring Catalan demands for greater fiscal powers.
The prime minister has not shifted his tough stance on Catalonia, but his party is campaigning hard there to stop voters defecting to a new political rival, the Ciudadanos, or Party of the Citizenry.
The Catalan vote will also be a gauge of Spain’s upcoming general election in which Ciudadanos and Podemos are mounting a strong challenge against Rajoy.
Like the Popular Party, Mas’ Democratic Convergence of Catalonia party has been hit by corruption scandals that have fueled the rise of these two new forces.
However, Mas’ opponents are divided.
The main opposition Socialists’ Party of Catalonia are calling for a constitutional reform to answer Catalan demands.
Podemos — which translates as “We can” — is in favor of letting Catalans vote in a referendum on the issue, but says Spain should reform itself in such a way that they would not want to leave.
Ciudadanos, polling in fourth place nationally, defends the unity of Spain.
“We want to end this separatist campaign and put an end to this debate,” Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera said.
In the vote, “there should not be winners and losers,” he said.
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