CATALAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT REACHED ITS PEAK IN 2017 LEADING TO A THREAT OF SPANISH SPLIT. HERE'S HOW.
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Spain like any major nation on the face of this earth is no stranger to secessionist movements. In fact, it has faced a fair share of threat to its national unity. However, today the focal point will be the issue of Catalonia.
Well you might be thinking why Spain's wealthiest region which has important cities like Barcelona & Girona wants to split from Spain? Simply put, its because of:
Cultural difference with a separate language Catalan & divergent regional customs.
Loss of revenue to Spanish Federal Government in Madrid. According to Reuters, Catalonia pay 12 billion euros more than it receives from Spain.
Catalonia has remained largely independent and even autonomous in the Iberian peninsula in the vast portion of its rich history. The 2010 ruling of Spanish SC to strip Catalonia of its autonomous status has emerged as an impetus to the independence movement.
They see the Federal government in Madrid as their suppressor who wants to curb Catalan influence.
Catalonia has charismatic leaders like Puidgemont who have presented Catalonia's case to the outside world as well as the masses in an affable and forceful manner..
In the regional parliamentary elections Left wing parties like the Esquerra Republicana de Cataluyna which have traditionally been pro-independence parties have gained traction. These parties are the crux of the ruling coalition in Catalonia. This shows that the people's will is about seeking independence.
But why is the Spanish government subjugating & suppressing this movement?
The major region is economy. Catalonia accounts for 19% of Spanish GDP. It has been the industrial hub of Spain since decades. To put it into perspective, Catalonia's GDP is higher than that of Portugal as well as Hong Kong.
Another important aspect is it would add fuel to the fire of other secessionist movements in Andalusia & Basque country.
various regions of Spain
THE REFERENDUM
However the polling day was greeted by brutal police who used sheer force to stop this "unconstitutional" referendum. Rather than running away, the brave Catalan faced the onslaught & still voted. This also resulted in gruesome injuries as illustrated above.
FUN FACT
This movement for independence has given a political tinge to Spain's most popular football rivalry the "El Clasico" between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
I BELIEVE CATALAN'S STRIVE FOR INDEPENDENCE TEACHES US A LESSON. A LESSON TO NEVER GIVE UP AND FIGHT AGAINST ALL ODDS. ON THAT NOTE, I SIGN OFF.
ADEU!
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