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CATALAN SEPARATISTS WON a crucial snap poll yesterday, plunging their region into further uncertainty after a failed independence bid rattled Europe and triggered Spain’s worst political crisis in decades.
With turnout at a record high of over 80% and with and almost all of the ballots counted, the election handed a mandate back to the region’s ousted separatist leaders, even after they campaigned from exile and behind bars.
In a clear indicator of the huge gulf over independence afflicting Catalan society, anti-secessionist centrist party Ciudadanos had the biggest individual result with 37 of the 135 seats in the regional parliament.
“It’s a strange feeling. We won the majority of seats, but we lost in votes,” 26-year-old doctor and separatist supporter Fran Robles told AFP after the results were announced.
“It’s a good reflection of the reality that Catalonia is politically divided,” he added.
But unless the three pro-independence lists fail to clinch a deal to work together in the coming months, they will rule Catalonia with 70 of the 135 seats in parliament — two less than their previous tally of 72.
For Catalans on both sides of the divide the day had been a moment of truth, following weeks of upheaval and protests unseen since democracy was reinstated following the death in 1975 of dictator Francisco Franco.
“This is a result which no one can dispute,” deposed leader Carles Puigdemont said from self-imposed exile in Belgium, emboldened by the separatists’ win.
“The Spanish state was defeated. (Prime Minister Mariano) Rajoy and his allies lost,” he told reporters.
Defeat for Rajoy
The Spanish government called the election after it took the unprecedented step of stripping Catalonia of its treasured autonomy in the aftermath of an independence declaration on October 27 that rattled a Europe already shaken by Brexit.
At stake was the economy of a region that has seen its tourism sector suffer and more than 3,100 companies — including the largest banks, utilities and insurers — move their legal headquarters out of Catalonia since the referendum.
The declaration came weeks after a banned independence referendum on October 1, which saw a police crackdown that sent shockwaves around the world.
Rajoy and his conservative cabinet tried to nip the independence movement in the bud, sacking the regional government and dissolving its parliament.
In a further obstacle for the separatist cause, the judiciary pressed charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of funds against the secessionist leaders.
Puigdemont, who had fled to Belgium where he tried to rally international support for the separatist cause, has not since returned to Spain, where he faces arrest.
His Together for Catalonia list nonetheless secured the best result of the three separatist groupings — in a major upset for Rajoy’s government.
Risk of new elections?
But in Belgium, a separatist supporter warned against triumphalism.
“It’s a bitter victory,” said Michel Vila, a 70-year-old retired engineer who has lived in Belgium for 30 years.
Analysts were swift to note that what the separatists’ victory will mean in practice remains a mystery.
“It is unclear whether Puigdemont will be able to be re-appointed … as he will be arrested if he comes back to Spain,” said Antonio Barroso, political analyst at the Teneo research centre.
“As a result, the investiture process will be far from straightforward, and the risk of new elections in 2018 remains high,” he added.
Crucially, the pro-independence camp is not expected to attempt another breakaway from Spain, but rather try to enter into negotiations with Madrid.
By fleeing to Belgium, Puigdemont said he aimed to win the support of the European Union for his cause.
But the EU has so far backed Rajoy, saying it supports constitutional order, and that it is an internal matter for Spain.
The European Commission stressed its stance remained the same regardless of the result of the vote.
On the other side of the divide, Ciudadanos candidate Ines Arrimadas saw the glass half full, celebrating her centrist party’s lead in votes.
“The nationalists will never again be able to speak in the name of all Catalonia. We are all Catalonia,” she said in a speech to supporters after the result.
- © AFP 2017.
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Well done to those willing to stand up to oppression.
@Unitedpeople: Unless a majority of Spanish people vote for separation, then you’ll find it is the separatist who are attempting to oppress the will of democracy.
@MK76:
England didn’t have a say in Scotland’s independence referendum, so I don’t see how Spain should have a say in Catalonia’s.
@Thought for Food: Catalonia was never an Independent State. Scotland was. Catalonia evolved as part of the Spanish State when the Kingdoms of Aragon (which Catalonia was part of) and Castille joined to become modern Spain. Scotland was joined to England via an act of Parliament (Act of Union). And the Constitution of Spain clearly states that all of Spain is indivisible. Scotland has no such barrier as a member State within the UK. So for Catalonia to ceceed it will require a change in the Spanish Constitution which in itself would require a majority from an all Spanish vote.
@Mick Jordan: Ah Mick don’t be dazzling the lads with facts! The separatists live in one of the richest areas of Spain. They have virtual independence in all ways that matter ie their own language,, their own parliament, their own laws. They are not oppressed. They don’t want to subsidize less well off areas. Other parts of Spain are entitled to a say as well. And as far as I can see although the separatists have slightly more seat in Parliament they haven’t won a plurality of the popular vote. You cannot declare a separate nation in a region with half the population opposed. It’s insanity.
@MK76: Incorrect
@John R: spot on, there is a prevailing theme that catalans are opressed while this may have been true during francos time it is not anymore. Certain elements are pushing this narative and its purely down to greed.. what else can it be?
@MK76:
By your logic Ireland should never have got independence unless the majority in the UK voted in favour of it. Sounds fair yeah?
@Avina Laaf: Catalonia was never in its entire known history a State, Kingdom, Principality, Duchy, Earldom or even Tribal land. It was part of a larger Roman Frontier province, then part of the Kingdom of Aragon and when it joined with the Kingdom of Castille it became part of what is now modern Spain. In 1975 after Franco died and the new Spanish Constitution was drawn up Catalonia along with every other region in Spain signed it. And one part of that Constitution stated that All of Spain is indivisible. They signed this they, agreed to this, now they have to abide by it. What they can try and do is seek to change the Constitution, but that will take a nation wide referenda, just like changes to our Constitution do here.
Great news for Catalonia!
A slap in the face for the oppressive policies of Rajoy, I hope project Europe are paying attention and can now see the result of anti democratic policies and steamrolling oppression on a section of the population!
Europe can stand together as an economic market or fall asunder as an EU suprastate!
@Jarlath Murphy: It was Rajoy who called the election. That doesn’t sound like a suppression of democracy or oppression of the people. Catalans are not oppressed. Their culture is not oppressed, it flourishes. In ordinary times, they have political autonomy. The question of whether it is they alone or the entire population of Spain should vote on separation is a very sticky one. If we accept the sovereignty and the legal structure of Spain as a nation then a Catalan only vote would be contrary to that legal structure unless it was done by agreement with the central government.
@Jarlath Murphy: Jarlath, this is not an EU matter. It is a Spanish matter. The EU has not legal competence whatsoever to intervene. The EU only has the competences set down in the Treaties. This excludes areas such as internal law and order, national security and the constitutional order within a Member State. This is an exclusive matter for Spain. All your comment reveals is a complete lack of understanding of the EU and its role and competences. There is little excuse for this. It is all available on-line in easily digestible chunks. But you find it easier to post obvious falsehoods than engage in some minor research.
Finally, there is no EU “surprastate”. The overwhelming majority of things that make a difference in our daily lives and on which we vote in our national elections remain the within the control of member states. These are areas such as education, welfare, taxation, health, housing, planning etc. If you want to understand what the EU is and is not do some reading and stop blaming the EU for faults that lie elsewhere. The real irony of your comment is that if the EU interfered as you would wish then you would probably allege that it was interfering in areas it had no business in and lay allegation of being an undemocratic superstate against it!
@Jarlath Murphy: why is their leader hiding in Brussels and why do they plan to join this supposed Eurostate,if it’s so undemocratic?
@Jarlath Murphy: Please educate yourself from sources that are not the sun or youtube videos.
“The Spanish state was defeated” squawked the separatist too cowardly to accept responsibility for his own lawbreaking.
@Harry Whitehead: I’m not convinced they broke the law. I’d be sceptical of Russia’s involvement in the referendum but this election was by all means free and fair.
@Harry Whitehead: the tyrranous fascist undemocratic eu superstate will be defeated
Words you clearly don’t understand: tyrranous [sic], fascist, undemocratic, superstate.
@Darren Bates: that referendum was f
@Darren Bates: bloody app … that referendum was farcical enough – there was no need for anyone else to get involved. The lack of commentary from the Shinners onsite was worth noting as well.
@jon-boy55: “the tyrranous fascist undemocratic eu superstate will be defeated”!
Except that the issue in Spain has nothing to do with the EU, at all. It is an internal matter for Spain and the EU has no competence to interfere with the matter as long as the rule of law and the Spanish constitutional order is followed.
But like the Brexiteers who blame every British ill on the EU rather than look in the mirror of their own incompetence you construct a straw man argument to have a go at your favourite bogeyman..
For those who up-voted you, please note that the EU only has competences within the areas set down in the Treaties. That specifically excludes internal law and order and national security, the internal constitutional structure of each Member State as well as a whole range of other areas. Catalonia is not an issue on which the EU can intervene precisely because it is not a “superstate” (whatever that means) but an entity limited by Treaties and by the rule of law. This is an internal matter for Spain.
Finally, one might note that the primary nationalist movements in areas like Spain and Italy are largely in richer areas who object to the subsidisation of poorer areas within their own countries. It is really hard to construct an argument which portrays these areas as “oppressed”. Brexit was also partly driven by a desire to stop subsidising less well off regions elsewhere in the EU. Perhaps the greater Dublin area, or the East coast of Ireland, should claim cultural autonomy and seek to claim independence!
This is nationalism for the wealthy cloaked in self-interest and suborning the language of the genuinely oppressed. It does not deserve our sympathy. The richer should subsidise the poorer and this is the essence of redistribution.
@Harry Whitehead: You mean like DeValera and the rest of the members of the first dail?
@John R: Now now don’t let your grounded facts get in the way of a good straw man
@John R: well said john
All Spain vote needed for separation IMO.
And 52% support for separation in this particular poll is hardly the massive majority that folks on claim the separatist movement holds.
@MK76:
Did the UK have a vote when we declared our independence? Did France have a vote when it’s colonies declared independence?
I think you’ll find that regions by and large tend to decide for themselves. There’s very little historical precedent for what you’re advocating for.
@MK76: Yes, 52% the same percentage as the Brixit leave vote. A slim majority, but a majority all the same.
@Thought for Food: your analogy is wrong. Catalonia has never been its own state. It’s the equivalent of Cork seeking independence. And under the Spanish constitution the whole country does indeed have to vote on it. That’s the constitution that Catalonia signed up to in 1975. The secessionists are also extremely nationalistic and on the far right. Hardly the poor oppressed politicians they make out to be. If they win, fair play to them and good luck to Catalonia but people should stop romanticising their movement.
@MK76: that’s incorrect, 47.5% voted for separatist parties. they have majority on seat not on popular votes
@Tom Nelligan: The People’s Republic of Cork shall break free from the tyrannical claws of those west Brits in Leinster House.
@Féach News:
It was only a matter of time!
@Charles Williams: You know that the unionist parties got 52.1% of the vote and the separatists got only 47%? Funny way the seats were distributed.
Hardly a mandate to leave Spain.
@Féach News: Viva Cork!
The headline and the article aren’t exactly comfortable bedfellows. I thought there was a landslide victory. With the higher turnout the pro independence position weakened and lost the popular vote. Shows the referendum for the sham it was. Gunter will be staying in Brussels for a while longer
Intimidation and semi sanctioned Govt violence failed…
@ABitLeftandaBitLost: Oh get a grip. Catalonia is not oppressed. It is the richest area of Spain with massive autonomy. The nationalist movement is driven by a desire to keep their own wealth and stop redistribution to less wealthy areas. Stop romanticising what is a right wing political movement with selfishness at its very core. In what alternative reality is a really wealthy area “oppressed”. The separatists gained a majority in Parliament but lost the popular vote. You cannot secede on such a basis without chaos. Nor can Catalonia secede without a Constitutional referendum across the entire of Spain. This is the Constitution that the Catalans themselves voted for overwhelmingly ! Democracy on whose terms?
@John R: Didn’t use oppressed anywhere in the article. The “Intimidation and semi sanctioned Govt violence” refers to the brutal, illegal use of violence by Spanish police during referendum.
@ABitLeftandaBitLost: So you don’t regard intimidation and violence as “oppression”? Interesting stance.
My point stands. The majority of people in Catalonia have voted for unity not independence and the people of Spain are entitled to a referendum under the very Constitution that the Catalans themselves voted for overwhelmingly. What the separatists wish to impose would lead to civil war. They are not the majority in either Catalonia or Spain. They don’t deserve our sympathy. If every rich region wishes to stop subsidizing poorer areas there would be massive social upheaval. Our European models of democracy are all based on redistribution which offers the worst consequences of capitalism which generates wealth.
Groundhog Day
Because of the electoral law independentist parties get more seats with less votes, even like that the separatists have lost two seats compared to the previous election. The result in individidual votes it’s 47.5% for independentists and 52.1 % for non independentists.
What does this mean for Tasmania?
@Padraic Reid: DCC will fly their flag soon enough
Feel like this vote is being grossly under-reported considering how many people said “oh let’s see what happens in the vote in December” after their vote to leave back in October.
Spanish PM will now have to resign?
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