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) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 29 2017, @09:09AM
It seems it was founded for the reason that co-operation is better than war. But fuck that, who needs a boring life. Would you like war again? Yugoslavia had their fun, and the once rich nation is fucked up quite nicely. Ukraine has their turn. Would you prefer another war in western europe? Or Poland? Estonia and those little nations didn't really exist last century, so those might be gone... right? Who needs the EU... who needs co-operation. Let nationalists just "duke it out"? right?