Thousands of celebrants have taken to the streets of Barcelona, while Spanish flags are being removed from towns across the surrounding area. After a 70-10 vote in parliament, and a referendum earlier this month, the Republic of Catalonia has been declared.
The declaration of independence fulfills a long-standing ambition of many in Catalonia, which has been struggling for centuries with its status as an autonomous region under Spain. Spain continues to refuse to recognize the declaration.
And it’s likely that Spain, which believes the referendum on independence “doesn’t count,” will act like this declaration didn’t happen as well, with Spain’s Senate approving the prime minister’s request for “emergency” powers to take over Catalonia and revoke all autonomy.
Such a takeover is likely to be a messy matter to even attempt, with the Catalan population already angry over the violent Spanish crackdown on voters during the referendum. Though Spain appears to believe they can simply nationalize the Catalan police and order them to crush what they are describing as “sedition” against the crown.
For now, at least, Catalonia is a de facto Republic, and Barcelona is its capital city. Catalonia was among the wealthiest regions in Spain, and could well be a wealthy republic if it manages to keep its independence. The Catalan Republic borders Spain, France, and tiny Andorra, which itself is a Catalan principality, albeit a much smaller one.
Time to batten down the hatches, Catalonia. You’ve voted for your freedom now it’s time to fight for it. Man the barricades. Fill the wine bottles with gasoline. And give em hell. Give em holy hell, Catalonia, for all of us. Someone has to be the first David to rock this Goliath. It might as well be you. Solidarity.
The EU as we know it is doomed. Good riddance.
Mapping Europe’s Secessionist Movements
http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user3303/imageroot/2017/05/14/20170516_secession.jpg
7 Independence Movements That Have the Potential to Destroy The EU / maps
Catalonia may be just the beginning.
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/10/no_author/7-independence-movements-that-have-the-potential-to-destroy-the-eu-2/
I;m open to being surprised but I suspect this will be a rather tame contest of wills with neither side willing to force anywhere near the level of escalation needed to thwart MSM’s efforts under-report and under-discuss this conflict. In other words expect something much closer to the HongKong protests rather than Benghazii or Maidan.
Of course just imagine if it had been Venezuela, Ecuador. or heaven fobid Russia which took the actions Spain just did it would be covered with round the clock heart-bleeding over the epic “assault on democracy” but in this case the summary dismissal of a due elected government and imposition of state censors is nothing much to talk about.
De facto Republic? Where is the facto?