SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
This afternoon, Catalonia declared independence. At the same time, Spain invoked article 155, to strip Catalonia from its governing powers putting it under direct rule from the federal government. A vote for independence was raised in Catalonian parliament, with part of parliament leaving before the vote on independence started. The motion declaring independence was approved with 70 in favor, 10 against, and two abstentions of the normal 135 total.
From RT: https://www.rt.com/news/407956-catalan-parliament-votes-independence/
From Aljazeera: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/catalan-parliament-begins-vote-independence-171027115908493.html
From BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41780116
It will be interesting to see how things unfold. In my opinion, Madrid using violence to stop a referendum gave it the legality they later claim the referendum didn't have. The lack of dialogue paved the way into the only possible outcome, Catalonia declaring independence and Madrid denying it. Whatever happens next, I hope will be peaceful. As to how the EU reacts, I'm hoping they ask for an official referendum, and whatever the outcome, pledges that both Catalonia and Spain will be able to remain in the EU if they desire. That may release tensions a bit.
(Score: 2) by Unixnut on Saturday October 28 2017, @08:20AM
> Unless of course the EU recognizes Catalonia as not being part of Spain.
The EU cannot recognise a country as being part of another, or not. It is not within its scope, as it is not a sovereign entity.
When Kosovo unilaterally declared independence against the wishes of the original country (Serbia), the EU clearly stated recognising independence was beyond its remit, and left it to the EU states to formulate a recognition response. Some recognised Kosovo, some (including Spain) didn't.
So the EU already has defined its attitude to such unilateral declarations of independence, and there shouldn't be much surprise. An independent Catalonia will have to live in a world of being a semi state (Like North Cyprus, Kosovo, Palestine, South Ossetia,Transnistria, etc...). Not fully sovereign, but "independent" in the sense they can rule their little territory as they desire (assuming Spain doesn't either recognise Catalonia as independent, or crushes the rebellion and reasserts control, of course).