Splitting Spain

The Spain we know will very likely cease to exist. We may be looking at a new country, Catalonia. Yes, that means Barcelona won't be part of Spain anymore. 

The problem has existed for the past 150 - 200 years. After Spain took over Catalonia, the region has been a part of Spain. Not, after finally given the right to vote, the people of Catalonia have spoken. Though 42% of eligible voters showed up, the result was still 91.96% pro-leaving. Imagine 7 million people suddenly leaving your country.

Spain's government, which obviously opposes the referendum, has deemed it illegal and declared it would strike down on it. The Catalan government carried out its own plan and process, and thus the voting did occur on October 1. However, the Spanish National Peace Corps and Guardia Civil tried to stop the voting from occurring. The government has arrested numerous demonstrators and leaders of the independence movement.

Why does Spain care so much about Catalonia? Besides the fact that it's been a part of Spain for centuries, Catalonia also represents 20% of Spain's economy, and if it were to leave, then you can imagine how the markets will tumble. Spain maintains that the separatist government is just acting rogue, but countries around the world have been criticizing Spain. Even though Spain says it retains the right to hold onto Catalonia as its territory, it has not justified the brutality and crime against citizens and other innocent people. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is being called out as acting authoritarian and acting similar to when Spain was under a dictatorship. Spain was in a financial crisis years ago, and it fears having another one.

On the Catalan side, it argues that while it is responsible of 25% of Spain's exports, and contributes 21% of the taxes to the Spanish government, it gets significantly less back. Catalonia is a hotbed of investments. Catalonia is such a rich region that is still bound by the Spanish government's laws. Furthermore, Catalonia has its unique culture. The language is different, in addition to other cultural differences. Though Catalonia has much autonomy, it still argues it does not have enough.

This isn't the first time that a referendum was held. There was one in November of 2014but it was also declared illegal by Spain's central government. Though 2.2 million with 80% favoring independence voted, it somewhat died down.

Now the question remains how Catalonia and Spain, as well as the rest of Europe will react to the split. Spain would likely impose economic sanctions, and EU member nations may as well. Catalonia will also have to apply to be part of the EU - that is, if it even wants to be a part of.

http://time.com/4951665/catalan-referendum-2017

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/01/dozens-injured-as-riot-police-storm-catalan-ref-polling-stations

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41463719

 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/26/world/europe/spain-catalonia-referendum.html

http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/01/europe/catalonia-spain-independence-referendum-result/index.html