Two years ago, leaders of the wealthy Spanish region of Catalunya held a referendum debating Catalonian independence, in which over 90% of voters elected to secede from Spain. The issue of Catalan sovereignty has always been a touchy subject for Spain, who after the 2017 referendum, invoked Article 155 of its constitution, which revoked Catalunya’s autonomous status. The federal government of Spain then sacked Catalunya’s leaders, dissolved parliament, and called for snap elections.
The region of Catalunya is located in the north of Spain, separated from the south of France by the Pyrenees mountain range. Catalan history dates back almost 1,000 years and is largely distinct from that of Spain. Under its autonomy, Catalunya has its own parliament, flag, and anthem, and runs independent public services such as its police force. Catalans also have a unique language, which is a blend of Spanish and the Occitan languages of Southern France.
The 2017 referendum was called in part because of Catalan sentiment that the region has contributed far more in tax contributions to the rest of Spain than it has received in return. Catalunya is home to some of the wealthiest cities in Spain, particularly the regional capital of Barcelona, and the region accounts for about 19% of total Spanish GDP. Many Catalans also hold the Madrid government responsible for the 2008 Spanish financial crisis which resulted in significant public spending cuts. Another reason for the referendum was a 2010 constitutional court ruling that set a limit on Catalunya’s claims to nationhood. The ruling annulled and reinterpreted parts of the 2006 Catalan Statute of Autonomy to restrict Catalan independence. Then-Catalan leader Jose Montilla called the ruling an “attack on the dignity of Catalans.” This decision invigorated pro-independence parties in Catalunya, which resulted in a symbolic referendum held in 2014, leading to a large majority endorsing Catalan independence. The following year, regional elections resulted in Catalan separatist parties winning a majority, which only served to increase calls for an independent Catalunya. This momentum led to then-President Carles Puigdemont calling for another referendum in October 2017, and after heavy-handed police tactics from the Spanish government to deter voters, Puigdemont unilaterally declared independence on October 27, 2017.
This past week, Spain’s Supreme Court found nine leaders of the independence movement guilty of sedition and misuse of public funds after a four-month long trial. Catalunya’s former vice-president, foreign minister, labor minister, regional government spokesman, parliamentary speaker, and interior minister were all found guilty, and given prison sentences ranging from ten to thirteen years. Carles Puigdemont, who is now living in self-imposed exile in Belgium, had a new warrant issued for his arrest after Germany previously refused to extradite him. Upon the sentences being read, mass protests broke out throughout Catalunya. The Barcelona airport was hit particularly hard by the demonstrations, with twenty flights being cancelled. Catalan President Quim Torra called for amnesty for the convicted leaders, and also urged the protestors to remain peaceful. Torra also pledged to continue fighting for Catalan independence through the remainder of his term. Puigdemont called the sentences an “outrage” on Twitter, and renewed calls for an independent Catalunya.
The final chapter of the Catalan separatist movement has not yet been written. National elections are due to be held in Spain in the coming months, and the result will help determine the future of Catalunya. Catalan leaders have hinted that reversing parts of the 2006 constitutional court ruling that undermined Catalunya’s autonomy would go a long way toward repairing relations between Barcelona and Madrid. Should this happen, an agreement between Catalunya and Spain re-establishing aspects of the former’s autonomy would appear to be an acceptable solution for both sides.
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