Next March, Colau and her allies are expected to unveil a new party, with the intention of wresting the hegemony away from the pro-independence coalition Junts Pel Si. En Comú Podem, the coalition led by Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, has managed to incorporate a third voice into the debate: Her group defends the right to hold a legally binding referendum, but doesn't necessarily support breaking away from Spain. In the last two general elections, the most popular party in Catalonia was neither pro- nor anti-independence. "It would be bad for everyone if Catalonia was left outside Europe, so we're not even worried about such a possibility."Įven if Catalonia were to gain independence, the central government in Madrid would not recognize it
#CATALONIAN INDEPENDENCE PRO CON TORRENT#
However, Torrent is convinced that an independent Catalonia wouldn't be expelled from the Union. The political analyst is skeptical that Catalonia could find any support from other European states "if it broke away unilaterally." Puigdemont didn't meet any representatives of the European Commission and his team said they hadn't requested it.Īntonio Barroso, Managing Director and Deputy Director of Research at Teneo Intelligence, a political consulting firm, believes that Brussels, and not Madrid, is where the real hurdle for pro-independence politicians lies. "The EU's negotiation resources are currently focused on Brexit Catalonia is not a priority," he told DW. However, as reported by the Barcelona-based newspaper La Vanguardia, their conference was mostly attended by Catalan citizens and MPs from other European separatist parties. Last month, Junts Pel Si leaders Carles Puigdemont, Oriol Junqueras and Raül Romeva travelled to Brussels to gather support for their cause. For pro-unity parties, there is no room for debate: Once Catalonia leaves Spain, it would be a new country and would have to reapply for membership if it wants to remain part of the EU. The "EU question" whether an independent Catalonia would remain a member state is one of the key battlefields of the debate. Pro-independence MP Roger Torrent says that the Catalan people will be called to the polls regardless of Madrid's opposition. "I'm sure that the Spanish government will try to prevent the vote in any way possible, but we're determined and have political legitimacy." He insists that the referendum will be legal, although admitting that it may only be so in Catalonia's own legal system.įor Lorena Roldán, there is no doubt that a referendum would be illegal. "At the moment, looking at the constitution and the current legal framework, there is no way for a region to split from Spain." "I'm happy to talk and to reach an understanding, but I won't negotiate Spain's unity or liquidate its national sovereignty, for two reasons: The constitution and the laws don't allow it, and I don't want to." In a press conference earlier this week, Rajoy said he would not allow any consultation. However, Rajoy has not yet shown any signs of softening his stance. Puigdemont has promised "not to give up" on negotiating the terms of the plebiscite with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government. The exact date of the referendum hasn't been announced yet, but the governing Junts Pel Si ("Together for Yes") coalition has set September as the deadline.Īnother referendum on independence is likely however, the status quo is unlikely to change From the point of view of the pro-independence regional government, the vote will be legally binding, as Prime Minister Carles Puigdemont announced last December. Lorena Roldán, a Catalan MP and member of the unionist party Ciudadanos, said that the Constitution doesn't include the right to hold "any kind of consultation or referendum for a region to split from Spain." Roldán said that, regardless of the outcome of the trial, her party is satisfied. "Politicians should not have any privileges," she told DW.Īll things being equal, the Catalan people will vote in another referendum this year.
#CATALONIAN INDEPENDENCE PRO CON TRIAL#
On the other side of the table, pro-unity parties are celebrating that Mas has to face trial and have no wish to see another referendum. Roger Torrent, a member of the Catalan Parliament for the pro-independence party ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia), told DW that "the trial is really about the capacity of the Catalan people to decide their own future." His supporters believe the accused politicians are being subjected to a political trial. The nature of Mas' case has once again stirred the debate in Catalonia. After two inconclusive elections, Rajoy won a parliamentary confidence vote on Saturday. Center-right leader Mariano Rajoy has taken the oath as leader of Spain's new government, ending a 10-month impasse.