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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: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 28 2017, @01:48AM (3 children)
Spain is not a federation, so there is no federal government. One opposition party wants to make it that way in the future, which obviosly means it is not. Central government, on the other hand, yes. Details matter.
EU and many EU countries already said they don't recongnized the split. USA also sided with Spain as a whole. Russia loves to stir the pot, of course.
Independentists wished there was serious violence, they would have got their martyrs. https://gaceta.es/espana/los-separatistas-necesitan-muerto-sirva-simbolo-20170906-0650/ [gaceta.es] Not even when they replied with violence they got more than some concusions and a heart attack (and pushed a good deal of fake news, they love playing victim). https://player.elconfidencial.com/embed/video/30972/640/360/ [elconfidencial.com] The chair thrower was detained days ago, BTW.
Legal advisors of the Generalitat told the chamber president they were breaking the chamber laws, and left before the voting, rejecting to take part in it. Opposition also left, 53 missing votes. 2 abstentions should be Yes, independentists got two black sheep. Voting was secret, so they will be unable to purge them. Or maybe it was a trick so judges can't charge them all as they would charge 2 innocent.
A region of Catalonia, Valle de Aran, wants to split from it if they split. What is good for the goose... "NO! We split but you can't!"
The Generalitat's President was so happy after the voting giving themselves independence... he ignored the independentists meeting in the square near the Parlament and left by a side door. :(
They know they fucked up, they even knew it was not going to work. Judges had ordered phone interceptions and the talks are becoming public. http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/10/27/59f36bec22601d3e5a8b45be.html [elmundo.es] Catalan judges in some cases. That is what happens when less than half want to drag the other half-plus into their dreamland and ignore laws above them and their own laws as they see fit. There lies the rub, their own laws too are no barrier for them. Neither is what others want to do, like business leaving them for greener pastures. Soon they will claim they are free of gravity.
All the top people have been removed from their positions (measures started at midnight) and new elections will take place Dec 21st as the laws require at least 54 days between announcement and voting day (it's 55 IIRC in this case, earliest would be 20th). Normally it would had been a Sunday, but check the calendar yourself.
The only thing working is that some people forgot (not all :P ) about the second accounting by central goverment party, the 3% commisions by independentists and the Pujol money in Andorra (past President has a lot to explain), the insider wars in two of the opposition parties, the crappy jobs generated (unemployment numbers back to ~2009, but quality and payment still pretty bad) or the increasing country debt.
(Score: 2) by Geotti on Saturday October 28 2017, @01:55AM (2 children)
Right, and so does Serbia...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 28 2017, @02:13AM (1 child)
No idea about Serbia, but Putin sent an envoy to Catalonia. https://politica.elpais.com/politica/2017/10/25/actualidad/1508958307_955473.html [elpais.com]
(Score: 2) by Geotti on Sunday October 29 2017, @01:21AM
I was referring to Kosovo, which kind-of, opened pandora's box. Interesting bit about the envoy, Putin sure seems to enjoy trolling his colleagues.