Why does Catalonia want to secede from Spain? Why does an autonomous community want complete independence? “Independence must be recognized by someone”: what awaits Catalonia after the referendum.

09:25 — REGNUM Catalonia will declare its independence from Spain within a few days, head of the Generalitat Carles Puigdemont said on the BBC. According to him, if the Spanish government intervenes, it will be a mistake that “will change everything.” At present, there is no contact between the autonomous government and official Madrid, Puigdemont said.

The referendum on Catalan independence, in which 2.2 million of the region's 5.3 million voters voted, took place on October 1. 90% of those who voted were in favor of the independence of the autonomy.

The Spanish government did not recognize the results of the referendum and accused the Catalan authorities of disseminating false information about those injured during the protests. Spain's King Felipe VI said the region's government had demonstrated "unacceptable insubordination" to "destroy the unity of Spain."

According to the monarch, Catalonia will also be part of Spain, which will become better; there will be no independence for the region. The European Union also stated that it would not recognize the results of the referendum.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic accused the EU of double standards, recalling that a similar referendum in Kosovo, which was part of Serbia, in 2007 was recognized by the world community without any reservations. The independence of this Serbian region, declared in February 2008, was immediately recognized by the United States, France and other states.

“The EU will never admit that it made a mistake with the recognition of Kosovo, but this decision had negative consequences for it. Pandora’s box was opened,” Dacic said.

The Serbian government will send a letter to the European Commission demanding clarification of Brussels' official position on the referendum in Catalonia and how it relates to the issue of recognition of Kosovo's independence. At the same time, the Serbian Foreign Ministry noted that they do not expect a change in the position of the 22 EU states that recognized Kosovo, despite the new conditions.

The European Commission tried to explain the “double standards”. When asked by journalists why Kosovo was once recognized as independent, but Catalonia is now denied such a right, the EC representative said that such parallels are inappropriate, since Spain is a member European Union, but Serbia does not.

We were delighted with the results of the referendum in another part of the European Union demanding independence: Scotland. The Scottish Government has said Catalonia should be allowed to determine its own destiny. Edinburgh also stressed that the international community should not ignore the Catalans' desire for independence.

The Scottish government also held a referendum on the region's independence from the United Kingdom in 2014. Then citizens voted against it, but Edinburgh has repeatedly stated its intention to hold a repeat vote. Against the backdrop of Britain's exit from the European Union, these statements began to be heard more often.

In the opinion of a regular author, in order to present the Catalan referendum as a legal act, it is necessary to open the Spanish constitution and read that issues of crucial importance for the state are decided by popular vote (not only of residents of one region).

So what are the Catalans unhappy with?

The history of Catalan nationalism dates back to the early 18th century. We can safely say that the emergence of Catalan nationalism was a consequence of the manifestation of French and then Spanish nationalism.

It all started with the fact that in 1700 Northern Catalonia became part of France and the Catalan language was banned there. First, Louis the 14th removed the use of Catalan as an official language, and 2 years later he abolished Catalan self-government.

The bad example turned out to be contagious and in 1707-1716 the Spanish king Philip the Fifth of Castile destroyed the traditional rights of the Catalans, abolished the Catalan constitution, adopting 3 Nueva Planta decrees. The model of shared sovereignty between the Spanish king and local governments was replaced by rigid centralization.

In Catalonia and Valencia, local Cortes were dissolved, in the Balearic Islands - the local parliament Great and Top tip. The church was tasked with rewriting the registers, replacing the Catalan names of its parishioners with Castilian ones. Catalan-speaking territories have lost the right to exercise economic, fiscal, legal control, and to mint their own money. The Catalan provinces were governed by governors appointed from Madrid. In the Council of Castile under the king, Aragon had fewer deputies than Navarre, Galicia or Asturias.

This disgrace began with Aragon and Valencia in 1707. True, in 1711 the king adopted a new decree, returning to Aragon part of its former rights. However, this did not affect those territories of Aragon where the Catalans lived. In 1712, the king struck a blow against the Catalans living in Mallorca and Petius, extending his decree to them. In 1717, a decree abolished local government in the Principality of Catalonia.

If Louis harmed the Catalans like this, just in case, then the Spanish Philip took revenge on the Catalans for the fact that during the War of the Spanish Succession they supported not him, but his rival Charles the Sixth of Habsburg. Charles lost, and Philip decided to punish the whole people.

Thus, the beginning of the 18th century is the time of the birth of Catalanism - Catalan nationalism, which aims to gain independence for the Catalans. But today this page of history could be consigned to oblivion and remain only in the memory of a couple of thousand historically advanced citizens. But the subsequent actions of the Spanish authorities crossed out this possibility.

It was the vertical of power built by Philippe Castilsim, aimed at destroying the autonomy of the Catalans, that led to the fact that from being the number 1 European power, Spain very soon found itself on the political and economic margins of Europe. And the Catalans began to demand independence.

However, not all Catalans demanded independence for Catalonia. Many considered it sufficient to transform Spain into a federation, one of which would include Catalonia. One of the supporters of federalization was the writer, lawyer and philosopher Francisco Pi y Margal, who in 1873 headed the Spanish Republic. The radical wing of the political forces of Catalonia declared independence, but the real creation of an independent Catalonia did not happen: in 1875, the monarchy in Spain was restored, and King Alfonso from the Bourbon dynasty ascended the throne. This dynasty rules in Spain to this day.

In 1885, the writer Joaquim Rubio y Os reports to the Spanish king Alfonso 12th document entitled Petition for the Protection of the Moral and Material Interests of Catalonia. The petition contained a demand to restore the rights of Catalans. However, the requirement for independence this document did not contain.

In 1923, dictator Primo de Rivera abolished the Catalan Commonwealth (the union of 4 provinces of Catalonia, created by the king in 1913), but in 1932, during the Second Spanish Republic, Catalonia received autonomy and a self-government body was created in it called the Generalitat (Generality), by analogy with the self-government body of medieval Catalonia. In 1940, under Franco, the second president of the Generalitat, Lewis Kumpansch, was executed by firing squad.

Franco prohibits the education and publication of literature in the Catalan language, and its use. There was criminal liability for using the Catalan language.

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 recognized the regions' right to autonomy. The Generalitat was re-established in Catalonia, and its president, who had been in exile abroad, returned to the country.

The Charter of Catalonia was adopted, the main principle of which was “general sovereignty”, according to which the Spanish state retained sovereign rights, however, it recognized the Statute of Autonomy and transferred to the Generalitat powers for the national restoration of Catalonia. The Catalan police were restored - Mossos d'Esquadra, literally "team of guys"), which in 2008 was supposed to fully take over the functions of both the National Police (Spanish Policia Nacional) and Civil Guard (Spanish: Guardia Civil). In 2006, with a referendum turnout of 49% of voters, a new Statute of Catalonia was adopted, which declared Catalonia a state within Spain.

Catalonia also had its own terrorists - the organization "Terra Liure" (cat. Terra Lliure - "free land", abbreviated as TLL), created in 1978. However, in 1995, Terra Liura dissolved itself.

The Catalans in their struggle for autonomy were supported by the then ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' Party. However, right-wing parties and politicians threw a whole tantrum, accusing the Catalans and socialists of violating the Spanish Constitution and demanding to narrow the rights of Catalonia.

In 2009, the municipality of Arenes da Mun held a consultative referendum on the issue of Catalan independence. In it, 94% of voters were in favor of Catalonia becoming independent. After this, in 2009-2010, a wave of consultative referendums swept through a number of municipalities

After the regional elections on November 25, 2012, according to the results of which the absolute majority in parliament was made up of deputies of pro-independence parties, on January 23, 2013, the Parliament proclaimed the Declaration of

Catalonia is separating from Spain! News about this became Once again popular. Large-scale rallies and voting are being held. But why is Catalonia separating from Spain, and why does it need it?

November failures

In November 2014, the Spanish Congress of Deputies decided to refuse to hold a referendum on independence in Catalonia. According to the law of the kingdom, voting on the secession of any of the regions must be carried out throughout the country. At the same time, such a strict and complex procedure makes it practically impossible to implement it.

Exactly a year later, on November 9, the Catalan Parliament adopted a resolution that formulated the main goal - “gaining independence from Madrid.” The whole world is talking about Catalonia separating from Spain. Is it true?

An action plan was developed to separate Catalonia from Spain by 2017. Residents need to form a government and adopt a new Constitution, after which their land will become officially free. However, in the elections in Catalonia, the majority of residents, striving for autonomy, spoke in favor of a united Spain.

Immediately after this, the Council of Ministers of Spain filed a lawsuit in constitutional Court, so that he, in turn, recognizes the resolution of the autonomous republic as invalid. Once again, the Catalans' attempts to secede from the Kingdom of Spain were unsuccessful. The country's Constitutional Court annulled the resolution adopted on November 9, 2015. However, the Catalan government announced that it would continue to take all measures to achieve the intended goal. Why does Catalonia want to secede from Spain?

Where it all began

People of Catalonia long years sought to preserve its independence, national uniqueness and cultural feature. But as a result of numerous bloody wars, he was unable to protect his own freedom. Catalonia has been separated from Spain for more than three centuries. Why is this happening?

It originates in 988. Count Borrell II declared the freedom of his own lands from the French invaders and proclaimed his land the County of Barcelona.

In 1137, a significant unification of the County of Barcelona with Catalonia takes place and significantly increases in size, establishing its power in the territory of present-day Italy, Andorra, France ( South part) and Valencia. Today, residents of the autonomous region of Valencia in Spain are not much different from Catalan, and some residents of this area consider themselves Catalans. At the same time, the population of Valencia does not want to acquire sovereignty.

Loss of sovereignty

The first loss of Catalan independence occurred as a result of the war of 1701-1714 between the heirs to the Spanish throne, Philip V and Charles VI of Habsburg. The victory of the former ended with the loss of sovereignty of the feudal lords, who relied on the Habsburgs. The National Day of Catalonia, which is widely celebrated in the region these years, is timed to coincide with this date.

It began from this stage long struggle Catalans for independence. Having repeatedly tried to gain sovereignty, the republic suffered many acts of intense and violent “Hispanization”. This is one of the reasons why Catalonia wants to secede from Spain.

Spanish Civil War

The best chance of gaining independence was Civil War in 1871, which ended with the overthrow of the monarchy in Spain. Catalonia was recognized as an autonomy. The fight against Franco turned into persecution for the native Catalans. Many were forced to leave their homeland for fear of execution. Having once again lost its autonomy status, Catalonia managed to regain it only in 1979 thanks to terrorist organization"Terra Liura".

XXI Century. Declaration of Sovereignty

In 2006, as a result of negotiations between the Catalan Parliament and the Spanish government, additional rights were granted to the autonomous region. They mainly concern the economic part. But this measure did not help to extinguish separatist sentiments among the Catalans, but only had the opposite effect.

The people of Catalonia achieved a lot in 2013. They have their own nationality and celebrate their own holidays at the state level. Unlike the entire territory of Spain, bullfighting is prohibited in the lands of Catalonia because flamenco is not danced here. recognized as official, and all local residents deliberately prefer it to Spanish. Unique fact Another thing is that the Catalans have their own domain on the Internet, which is not found in any region or autonomy within any country.

The Declaration of Sovereignty of Catalonia, adopted in 2013, only fueled a new wave of nationalist movements. A economic crisis, aggravating financial position Catalans, gave impetus to industrialization. Today this province is the most developed in Spain. Despite the fact that Catalonia's population is only 1/7 of the total population of Spain, just under 50 percent of the kingdom's entire industry is located on its territory. The tourism business is widely developed, providing 1/5 of Spain's GDP.

The reluctance of Catalans to share with unemployed Spaniards during a period of economic downturn is reasonable. This is the main reason why Catalonia wants to secede from Spain.

You can't stay to leave

There is one incredibly significant factor that makes Catalans vote for unity with Spain. This is membership in the European Union. Surprisingly, this allows Spain to feel a little more confident in this fight for independence.

Detachment from Madrid threatens Barcelona with the loss of ties with Brussels. This will automatically exclude Catalonia from the EU, which will negatively affect all economic indicators of the region. And even if Madrid, which previously did not recognize Palestine, Kosovo, Abkhazia, or Crimea, still recognizes Catalonia as a separate independent state, it will take a lot of time until new contracts are concluded and previous agreements are signed. The resources spent on negotiations, resolving all legal issues and drawing up the necessary contracts will have a detrimental effect on the state of the economy and financial well-being every citizen of Catalonia.

Radical separatists do not attach due importance to this fact, calling for sovereignty. By holding rallies, processions and various campaigns, nationalists prepared for the referendum on November 9.

Possible, but not possible

Officially, the Spanish government allows the local authorities of Catalonia to consider and adopt a new resolution on sovereignty, but after its adoption and the next vote of the residents, it files an appeal to the court, which overturns this decision. Catalonia is not deprived of its constitutional right to hold a plebiscite and further secession, but is not allowed to fully exercise it. This also causes a wave of discontent among residents and encourages them to fight.

Once again, the attempt to become a separate state ended in failure. And it is worth paying attention to the fact that in the last referendum, 70% of Catalan residents voted “NO”, thereby wishing to remain part of Spain. But a party whose political course was aimed at secession and independence was elected to the autonomous parliament. This means that the process will not stop, and in the near future, perhaps, we will witness the birth of a new state. No one can say for sure whether Catalonia will separate from Spain. But time will tell.

On October 1, 2017, during a referendum, 92% of voters in Catalonia answered positively to the question: “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?” However, it turned out that only 43% of registered voters voted, and it is likely that many, if not most, of those who did not vote were against independence.

Polls before the referendum showed that Catalans were almost evenly divided between supporters and opponents of independence, but those who actually supported the referendum went to the ballot boxes. The Spanish government refuses to accept the results of the vote or even negotiate with the Catalan regional government. The Prime Minister and his party, the socialist opposition and the king unanimously opposed independence. Spain's Constitutional Court ruled that the referendum was illegal.

In Europe, the reaction is mixed. Most national governments and major political parties argue that this issue is internal matter Spain. Several regional governments seeking to set a precedent for independence or autonomy in Europe - such as Scotland, Sardinia and Flanders - have called on Spain to respect Catalonia's desire for independence. Some left-wing leaders, most notably British Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, have called for mediation and condemned police action to block the vote.

Spain's right-wing Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has definitely proven himself to be a thug. Indeed, the main impetus for independence is the Catalans' deep rejection of Rajoy's policies and personality. Just as Americans in some states, such as California and New York, dream of creating a new state separate from America, which supported Trump, many Catalans see a break with Spain as a way to implement policies opposed by the right-wing majority of Spaniards. The push for Scottish independence also stems largely from the turmoil caused by years of Conservative Party dominance in Britain. By contrast, Northern Irish people who want to stay in Britain do so partly because they fear living under a repressive Catholic regime. social policy preferred (at least until recently) by the majority of voters in the Irish Republic.

Rajoy is an obstacle to resolving the conflict with Catalonia. As long as he remains in power, the Catalans are under the influence of their regional government will continue to seek independence. Rajoy has so far been unwilling to negotiate greater autonomy for Catalonia. Politically, he benefited from the conflict, raising waves of nationalism in the rest of Spain and thereby winning support from voters who dislike Rajoy as a person or his policies. Thus, Rajoy is likely to remain in power - at least in the medium term, and when he leaves office, another conservative is likely to replace him. Perhaps the next prime minister will be less rude and willing to negotiate more autonomy for Catalonia, resolving the crisis.

However, even if Rajoy remains and strengthens the desire of the Catalans to secede from Spain, Catalonia will not become an independent state. No other European national government supports Catalan independence. No government wants to lose part of its territory - even in a friendly divorce - and therefore does not want to support the independence of parts of Europe. We have seen the violence that accompanied the partition of Yugoslavia and the decisive role of external forces in the final definition of new international borders. The split between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is unique as a non-violent divorce.

Since the EU operates by consensus, a veto by even one member state (such as Spain) could block Catalonia's entry into the EU. Likewise, England can prevent Scotland from becoming a member of the EU. Unfortunately for the separatist Catalans and Scots (as well as certain forces in other EU countries), it is almost certain that many, if not all, EU members will vote against recognition of Catalonia or Scotland, because they do not want to set a precedent that will make it easier for the regions to secede from their national governments .

Thus, ultimately the EU will be decisive for the prospects for Catalan independence. Catalonia, like Scotland, expects that if it gains independence it will still remain part of the EU, able to enjoy free trade, open borders with other member states and use the euro. These are all the necessary details for creating viable states. Just as the British are now slowly but surely realizing that their economy will be destroyed if they lose access to the EU, so the separate Catalonia will realize that it will destroy its economy if it is isolated from the EU.

Thus, Rajoy is simply delaying the Catalans' rendezvous with reality. On this moment it is still mistakenly seen as the main (perhaps the only) obstacle on Catalonia's path to independence. This position, as I have already noted, helps him politically in the rest of Spain. But once Rajoy's government career is over and a more flexible politician becomes prime minister, Catalans will be able to focus on the actual steps needed to create a viable new nation. At this point, the EU's opposition to recognizing breakaway parts of current members will be seen as a real and decisive obstacle to independence.

Institutional arrangements - such as the EU - become integral to the functioning of the economy, and the freedoms and benefits provided by membership in the organization shape life plans of people. Despite frustrations with EU politics and the occasional absurdist escapade, most Europeans cannot prosper outside their common borders. As long as the EU remains a union nation states, the dreams of Catalonia or any other region remain unrealistic. Only by fundamentally overhauling the EU itself to become a true European government, where citizens enjoy membership separate from their national governments, will national borders be erased and the governments that so upset Catalans, Scots and so many other Europeans today so frustrating.

Catalonia is holding a referendum on independence from Spain on October 1. The kingdom's authorities have already declared it illegal and sent police to the region to disperse local residents. Catalans still go to polling stations and try to vote. The 360 ​​website found out from local residents why they want to leave Spain, and also asked a specialist to assess the significance of the plebiscite.

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Why do Catalans want secession?

Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of World Economy and international relations(IMEMO) RAS Ekaterina Cherkasova, at the request of the “360” website, spoke about the prerequisites for the referendum and its possible consequences.​

The question of Catalan independence from Spain was raised a long time ago. The region has always had own language, culture and history, and the Catalans never considered themselves Spaniards. The current escalation of the conflict dates back to 2006, when Madrid granted Catalonia new powers under autonomy. However, the region was dissatisfied with their volume.

First of all, the Catalans consider themselves a separate nation, and not a nationality, as stated in the Spanish constitution. They demanded expansion of linguistic powers, the area of ​​distribution of the Catalan language, as well as the creation of their own police, which would be subordinate to an autonomous government.

Played an important role economic factor. Catalonia is one of the richest regions of Spain and the European Union, but receives much less from Madrid through transfers than it contributes to the central budget. According to various estimates, the difference reaches 5-15 billion euros per year. This is a significant amount for the region.

Negotiations between Madrid and Barcelona were difficult. As a result, the Spanish Constitutional Court blocked the expansion of autonomy rights, which caused widespread discontent in Catalonia. Against the backdrop of political radicalization in the region, new political parties, who managed to win in 2014 and form an autonomous government. Led by Carles Puigdemont, it directly declared its intention to gain complete state independence.

What preceded the referendum?

There is only one question put up for the referendum: “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state with a republican form of government?” For a long time Madrid remained calm. Polls showed that there were not enough supporters of the region’s independence: 41% “for”, 49% “against”. The Spanish authorities believed that even if the radical movement did not disappear, then, in any case, it would not cross the line of legal actions.

However, things turned out differently. Radical political forces in Catalonia, together with the youth supporting them, decided that they would go all the way and hold a referendum. Madrid wanted to resort to force, which is allowed to it by the constitution - Spain is a single and indivisible state. The Spanish constitution prohibits such referendums in principle, and the court has already declared the Catalan plebiscite illegal and its results obviously invalid.

As a result, Civil Guard and National Police troops were brought into the region. Searches and arrests took place throughout Catalonia officials. Law enforcement seized documentation, blocked government funds that could have been used for the plebiscite, and sealed polling stations. It is possible that such harsh actions only increased the number of supporters of independence in the region.

Photo: RIA Novosti / Alexey Vitvitsky

What awaits Catalonia after the referendum?

A full-scale plebiscite, which the radical authorities of Catalonia so sought, is unlikely to be held. Apparently, a survey will be conducted on the streets and in certain premises of the region, in which an absolute minority of registered voters will take part. Finding out the results will also not be easy - electronic system The vote count is blocked by Madrid. Even if they lose, the nationalists will declare victory, but the Spanish authorities will not recognize the results of the referendum in any case.

It is most likely that Madrid will call the incident a case of regional authorities’ disobedience to the central government, dissolve autonomous authorities, and introduce state of emergency and set a date for new elections. There is no need to talk about the independence of the region.

Independence must be recognized by someone, and an independent Catalonia will never be recognized by Spain. Consequently, it will not be able to re-enter the European Union, NATO, and generally will not be able to exist in the political and historical context in which it is accustomed to existing. They can only remain part of Spain

— Ekaterina Cherkasova.

In the future, the new government coalition may begin new negotiations with Madrid on the terms of expanding autonomy. And apparently, this will suit the majority of Catalans. Only an influential and very active minority of the region's residents truly want independence.

Photo: RIA Novosti / Alexey Vitvitsky

What do the locals think?

In a conversation with the 360 ​​website, local residents Dani and Ksenia explained the situation in the region. The Catalan confirmed that the main prerequisites for the separation of Catalonia from Spain are economic and historical factors.

“Catalonia brings in approximately 22% of total GDP, and receives back as much as the Spanish government deems necessary. Catalonia is one of the richest regions of Spain. The people of Catalonia vote first of all for equality, the right to distribute budgets themselves. The working class is asking for more opportunities, promotions wages, because it is lower than the European average, and yet the tax is the same. Historical moment - Catalonia wandered between Spain and France, being between two warring countries.

Franco supported Hitler, paying off thousands of soldiers during the war so as not to interfere in the war. Therefore, many people associate the Franco regime, his ideas and actions with Nazism, as well as the modern government, which continues his ideas. As a territory forcibly annexed, languishing under the yoke of a dictator, Catalonia has always tried to assert itself. Children were prohibited from learning the Catalan language and culture. This abscess had to open sooner or later. Apparently it's now extreme point boiling, and maybe the confidence of the people and local authorities,” said Dani.

The respect of Catalonia by the Spanish authorities is also important. Madrid rejected any proposals on how to improve cooperation as part of one state. “The referendum was required to declare ourselves - the great people of Catalonia and respect for them, and improve working conditions. And these demands are quite legal, considering how much Spain receives from this region,” added a local resident.

The Spaniard’s wife, Ksenia, told “360” how exactly the referendum is taking place in Catalonia.

I cried, seeing how the old people barely came to cast their votes, and the crowd sang songs about the greatness of their people.<…>There are currently strikes all over Catalonia. You've seen the video - it's a nightmare. Terrorist act in Barcelona it was terrible, but now it’s brother against brother, women and old people are beaten

- she shared.

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