Catalan independence referendum, 2017

An Ciarraioch · 01-01-2017 6:57pm #1

Despite the refusal of the Madrid government to enter negotiations on the subject, Catalonia has decided to hold a binding independence referendum in September of this year. The most recent poll showed that 84% of Catalans approved the holding of such a vote (49% unilaterally, 35% a negotiated referendum), but the outcome remains too close to call (48% Yes, 40% No - 54/46 when undecideds were allocated). Indeed, the question of EU membership could prove crucial, as support for independence has dropped when this implies exclusion from the bloc.

recedite · 02-01-2017 7:15pm

When you say "binding", who is going to guarantee the outcome is respected?

In the Scottish referendum, London authorised it, therefore the result was guaranteed by the UK.

In the Crimean referendum, Kiev did not authorise it, but the result was guaranteed by Russian troops who had been stationed at Sevastopol, since forever.

Madrid has always opposed a Catalan referendum. Whose army will guarantee the outcome is respected?

Chips Lovell · 02-01-2017 8:11pm

You only need to worry about an army to enforce the outcome if the Spanish army resists secession. And while the Spanish government will certainly rattle its sabre, when push comes to shove, it's hard to see it militarily blocking a peaceful secession if approved by Catalan voters.

The real question is whether the Catalans will be willing to take a leap in the dark, since EU membership is far from certain post-independence.

An Ciarraioch · 02-01-2017 8:32pm

recedite wrote: »

When you say "binding", who is going to guarantee the outcome is respected?

In the Scottish referendum, London authorised it, therefore the result was guaranteed by the UK.

In the Crimean referendum, Kiev did not authorise it, but the result was guaranteed by Russian troops who had been stationed at Sevastopol, since forever.

Madrid has always opposed a Catalan referendum. Whose army will guarantee the outcome is respected?

Binding in the sense that the outcome will be final either way, regardless of turnout - they had a 2014 vote that became a farce when unionists boycotted, so making that statement beforehand aims to ensure supporters of all parties cast a ballot.

Nody · 02-01-2017 8:37pm

Jep Gambardella wrote: »

You only need to worry about an army to enforce the outcome if the Spanish army resists secession. And while the Spanish government will certainly rattle its sabre, when push comes to shove, it's hard to see it militarily blocking a peaceful secession if approved by Catalan voters.

The real question is whether the Catalans will be willing to take a leap in the dark, since EU membership is far from certain post-independence.will not happen as long as Spain is in EU

Fixed the last sentence in your quote. No country can join without all existing countries agreeing; Catalan will not be allowed to join EU full stop and instead will get to enjoy all the benefits of being outside of EU and be their own country and that's before basic things such as right to fly over Europe deals, import tolls etc. comes in with a wrecking ball to any ideas of sustaining the region. Even if Spain would consider it other countries would veto it simply to stop their regions leaving exactly for the same reason Brexit will leave UK out in the cold.

recedite · 02-01-2017 9:02pm

Nody wrote: »

Catalan will not be allowed to join EU full stop

Catalans are already in the EU, so the question is whether they would be expelled if they voted for independence.

This is a complicated legal question which was looked at in the context of the Scottish referendum, but no definitive answer was ever decided. Events made the question superfluous, in that particular case.

recedite · 02-01-2017 9:07pm

Jep Gambardella wrote: »

You only need to worry about an army to enforce the outcome if the Spanish army resists secession. And while the Spanish government will certainly rattle its sabre, when push comes to shove, it's hard to see it militarily blocking a peaceful secession if approved by Catalan voters.

I could see it easily enough. It would start off fairly low key. A few tanks or armoured cars would take up positions in the main town squares for security reasons. "Rioters" and "looters" and any mutinous local police officers would be arrested.

KingBrian2 · 02-01-2017 9:09pm

I wish countries could solve their problems without the need for separation. Peace would be the most likely outcome if efforts and political solidarity and changes in society occurred.

Nody · 02-01-2017 9:33pm

recedite wrote: »

Catalans are already in the EU, so the question is whether they would be expelled if they voted for independence.

The state of Spain is in EU; Catalan is not a country nor is it part of EU if it was an independent country and this is before we'd go through the whole issue of national law in Spain to succeed out from the nation (and by definition leave all responsibilities and obligations that come with being part of Spain). Sorry but there's no question here if Catalan would be recognised or not; the rest of EU has no interest in doing so or encourage it and even if we'd take it to court by the decade it would take to conclude Catalan would no longer exist as a country due to no right to travel into EU countries, no flights, no trade etc.

Chips Lovell · 02-01-2017 9:42pm

Nody wrote: »

Fixed the last sentence in your quote. No country can join without all existing countries agreeing; Catalan will not be allowed to join EU full stop and instead will get to enjoy all the benefits of being outside of EU and be their own country and that's before basic things such as right to fly over Europe deals, import tolls etc. comes in with a wrecking ball to any ideas of sustaining the region. Even if Spain would consider it other countries would veto it simply to stop their regions leaving exactly for the same reason Brexit will leave UK out in the cold.

That's what I was alluding to alright

recedite · 03-01-2017 11:33am

Nody wrote: »

Sorry but there's no question here if Catalan would be recognised or not; the rest of EU has no interest in doing so or encourage it and even if we'd take it to court by the decade it would take to conclude Catalan would no longer exist as a country due to no right to travel into EU countries, no flights, no trade etc.

What you're saying here is that the rest of the EU would side with Madrid, and Catalan would be bullied out of existence. But its not all that easy to bully a determined country. "They" tried to bully Icelanders into paying off EU bank debt, and it didn't work.

There is no rule in EU law to say whether the citizens of a successor state retain EU membership or not.
The UN is more clear about it; “if a state is a continuator state then its UN membership will continue, whereas a new state must be formally admitted to membership”.

As there is no clear rule within the EU, the matter would be decided by other EU politicians doing deals with each other, and as you say, Spain would have more political clout than Catalan (both being continuator/successor states).

Nody · 03-01-2017 1:17pm

recedite wrote: »

What you're saying here is that the rest of the EU would side with Madrid, and Catalan would be bullied out of existence. But its not all that easy to bully a determined country. "They" tried to bully Icelanders into paying off EU bank debt, and it didn't work.

Difference being Iceland already had a healthy trade and sit in the middle of nowhere so access is easy; Catalan would have locked down road access, no flight access etc. and even sea access would be restricted by Spanish Navy doing "inspections".

So yes, I'm saying they would be bullied to the point they would lose over 80% of the population in the first six months because they can't live off the land. Since a legal case would take years if not decades to go through all courts and appeals the final result is at best going to be academical value alone because the country of Catalan will no longer exist as it has been absorbed back into Spain (by force if necessary to prevent "terrorists" a safe haven).

NIMAN · 03-01-2017 1:20pm

If independence is granted, I plan to bet on Barca winning the Catalan Liga for 50 years straight.

An Ciarraioch · 03-01-2017 1:27pm

Nody wrote: »

Difference being Iceland already had a healthy trade and sit in the middle of nowhere so access is easy; Catalan would have locked down road access, no flight access etc. and even sea access would be restricted by Spanish Navy doing "inspections".

So yes, I'm saying they would be bullied to the point they would lose over 80% of the population in the first six months because they can't live off the land. Since a legal case would take years if not decades to go through all courts and appeals the final result is at best going to be academical value alone because the country of Catalan will no longer exist as it has been absorbed back into Spain (by force if necessary to prevent "terrorists" a safe haven).

I'm not going to give an opinion either way on the main issue, but if Catalans were ever going to resort to "terrorism", they'd have done so during the Franco era, similarly to the Basques. There was a brief organisation in the Seventies that died almost as soon as it started, and the politicians have already focused on international diplomacy.

Nody · 03-01-2017 1:47pm

An Ciarraioch wrote: »

I'm not going to give an opinion either way on the main issue, but if Catalans were ever going to resort to "terrorism", they'd have done so during the Franco era, similarly to the Basques. There was a brief organisation in the Seventies that died almost as soon as it started, and the politicians have already focused on international diplomacy.

I'm not claiming they would resort to it (hence the " " tags); I'm saying they would be accused of harbouring terrorists (be it local, Islamic or made up) as an excuse to invade and integrate it back into Spain again for the greater good. Heck they might even pull off something like the Crimea vote instead (simply need to ask the right population group after all) instead; either way I'd not expect Catalan to exist as a country 5 years later.

loyatemu · 03-01-2017 1:52pm

NIMAN wrote: »

If independence is granted, I plan to bet on Barca winning the Catalan Liga for 50 years straight.

expect UEFA to finally cave on the subject of regional leagues as neither Barca nor the other Spanish clubs would want to see them leave La Liga.

KingBrian2 · 05-01-2017 3:45am

Nody wrote: »

I'm not claiming they would resort to it (hence the " " tags); I'm saying they would be accused of harbouring terrorists (be it local, Islamic or made up) as an excuse to invade and integrate it back into Spain again for the greater good. Heck they might even pull off something like the Crimea vote instead (simply need to ask the right population group after all) instead; either way I'd not expect Catalan to exist as a country 5 years later.

Yeah like what America does with the Arab states, make up reasons to invade only this time i don't see the Spanish doing it to the Catalans.

An Ciarraioch · 30-03-2017 5:02pm

First poll of the year on the topic released today - headline result is that Catalans would narrowly reject independence (48% No to 44% Yes) in an agreed vote, but 75% want a referendum to be held (50% unilateral, 25% on negotiated terms). 20% of voters would boycott a unilateral vote, such as the Catalan government still intends to hold in September.

http://ceo.gencat.cat/ceop/AppJava/pages/index.html

Jan_de_Bakker · 31-03-2017 2:13pm

NIMAN wrote: »

If independence is granted, I plan to bet on Barca winning the Catalan Liga for 50 years straight.

hahah .. they wont want that tho, they'll want to pick and choose what benefits they get.

Im not sure they would win anyway if push came to shove, the last one in 2014 wasn't official so the Spanish people living in Cat. ignored it , as it was organised by the independence crowd - for the independence crowd - in fact im surprised it wasn't 100% yes.

Thats not a real reflection on the publics opinion, this next election could (maybe) be legally binding so that will have the Spanish living in Cat. voting too.

And this crap is just a big "We hate Spain" club ... we get it ... Franco was a **** , but he's dead 42 years ... move on !!!

RicePat · 31-03-2017 4:02pm

Jan_de_Bakker wrote: »

And this crap is just a big "We hate Spain" club ... we get it ... Franco was a **** , but he's dead 42 years ... move on !!!

This sounds a lot like the condescending "Braveheart" stuff the No camp were pushing during the Scottish IndyRef.

HalloweenJack · 15-04-2017 8:16pm

Considering the EUs stance on Scotlabd in the pre-Brexit vote, I'd imagine they would take a similar one with Catalunya.

Because of the legal wranglings of the Spanish constitution, no part can separate without approval from Madrid. As long as Madrid refuses to give official recognition of the vote, it's all for show, just like the previous one. It'll win because it'll be meaningless. The Catalan government don't have the powers to go it alone, the Spanish government would never allow it. A "binding" referendum is merely a ddeclaration of independence, Madrid doesn'have to, and this particular government won't, listen to it.

The cynic in me says that a vote that has official acceptance from Madrid would not pass. Not all the people in Catalunya are Catalans, not all Catalans are pro-independence. Faced with going it on their own, outside the EU, would also convince some of the less-committed pro-independence crowd.

It's a nice idea and I believe those who want to decide their own fate should be allowed to. However, the logistics of the system mean it's highly unlikely.

HalloweenJack · 19-05-2017 2:07pm

Quite surprised by seeing this but the Spanish Government have offered the Catalan president the chance to speak in Parliament and make his case for Catalan independence.

I can only imagine its an empty gesture from PP but we'll see how that goes.

goose2005 · 19-05-2017 7:28pm

recedite wrote: »

Catalans are already in the EU, so the question is whether they would be expelled if they voted for independence.

No, the Kingdom of Spain is in the EU. If Catalonia leaves that state, then it leaves the EU

An Ciarraioch · 19-05-2017 11:18pm

HalloweenJack wrote: »

Quite surprised by seeing this but the Spanish Government have offered the Catalan president the chance to speak in Parliament and make his case for Catalan independence.

I can only imagine its an empty gesture from PP but we'll see how that goes.

Seems to be a bit of shadowboxing by both sides, as Puigdemont, the Catalan PM has said he'll only take up the invite if Madrid agrees to the principle of a referendum. Either way, they plan to go ahead on October 1st even without an agreement.

An Ciarraioch · 22-05-2017 1:15pm

Granted, El Pais hardly a neutral source, but can't see the EU tolerating UDI!

http://elpais.com/elpais/2017/05/22/inenglish/1495435474_319567.amp.html

Fratton Fred · 22-05-2017 1:59pm

So does this mean Catalonia is a colony?

An Ciarraioch · 22-05-2017 4:23pm

Hardly, but a Scottish-style agreement would seem the most sensible solution. Now, the nationalists have painted themselves into the absurd corner whereby independence is likely, but in the absence of an agreement with Spain, no country would recognise them!

Peregrinus · 23-05-2017 2:07am

An Ciarraioch wrote: »

Hardly, but a Scottish-style agreement would seem the most sensible solution. Now, the nationalists have painted themselves into the absurd corner whereby independence is likely, but in the absence of an agreement with Spain, no country would recognise them!

Which of course is exactly the position that prevailed in Ireland from 1919 to 1922.

CruelCoin · 25-05-2017 2:29pm

Why is the EU permitting Spain to try block this?

"For the European Union, respect for this right cannot be disassociated from respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual and for fundamental human rights. The obligation to promote and protect this right is therefore included in full among the commitments given by States in the field of human rights."

EU president states its a human right.

http://eu-un.europa.eu/eu-presidency-statement-the-right-to-self-determination/

So, why are the Catalans being blocked from self-determination, while the EU has no issue in handing the Spanish veto powers over Gibraltar (who have self-determined that they are british)?

oscarBravo · 25-05-2017 4:42pm

CruelCoin wrote: »

Why is the EU permitting Spain to try block this?

By what mechanism would the EU prevent Spain from blocking it?

An Ciarraioch · 25-05-2017 5:14pm

CruelCoin wrote: »

Why is the EU permitting Spain to try block this?

"For the European Union, respect for this right cannot be disassociated from respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual and for fundamental human rights. The obligation to promote and protect this right is therefore included in full among the commitments given by States in the field of human rights."

EU president states its a human right.

http://eu-un.europa.eu/eu-presidency-statement-the-right-to-self-determination/

So, why are the Catalans being blocked from self-determination, while the EU has no issue in handing the Spanish veto powers over Gibraltar (who have self-determined that they are british)?

The principle of subsidiarity - Brussels can't intervene in a constitutional matter that's internal to a member state.

Peregrinus · 26-05-2017 2:10am

CruelCoin wrote: »

Why is the EU permitting Spain to try block this?

"For the European Union, respect for this right cannot be disassociated from respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual and for fundamental human rights. The obligation to promote and protect this right is therefore included in full among the commitments given by States in the field of human rights."

EU president states its a human right.

http://eu-un.europa.eu/eu-presidency-statement-the-right-to-self-determination/

So, why are the Catalans being blocked from self-determination, while the EU has no issue in handing the Spanish veto powers over Gibraltar (who have self-determined that they are british)?

Oh, come now. You've been reading the Daily Telegraph again, haven't you? You shouldn't; you know it causes brain-rot.

The EU hasn't "handed the Spanish veto powers over Gibraltar". They've handed the Spanish and the British veto powers over the application to Gibraltar of any UK-EU agreement. You'd have to work very hard to turn that into an infringement of the Gibraltarians' right to self-determination.

If anybody's ignoring the Gibraltarian's right to self determination it's the UK, who propose to overlook Gibraltar's 96% vote in favour of staying in the EU. I don't see you leaping up and down demanding to know why the EU is allowing the UK to do that. I wonder why not?

CruelCoin · 26-05-2017 1:53pm

Peregrinus wrote: »

If anybody's ignoring the Gibraltarian's right to self determination it's the UK, who propose to overlook Gibraltar's 96% vote in favour of staying in the EU. I don't see you leaping up and down demanding to know why the EU is allowing the UK to do that. I wonder why not?

Last i checked the EU wasn't a nation, unless they've finally pulled off that particular coup-detat

The self determination of being british trumps the determination of being in the EU.

Earl _of _Sandwich · 26-05-2017 2:06pm

Have any of the European political heavyweights publicly expressed an opinion on this? I'm interested to know what support the Catalans have in the EU.

I'm guessing SF have a strong opinion on the ref. Have any other Irish political parties expressed an opinion?

An Ciarraioch · 26-05-2017 7:47pm

The Oireachtas set up a parliamentary group this week to monitor events, and it appears to be all-party, like similar groups in other European parliaments.

eire4 · 27-05-2017 12:51am

Catalonia is the most powerful region in Spain economically so whatever about Madrid refusing to recognise the vote later this year a yes vote would certainly strengthen the Catalan hand in terms of negotiating more powers of self governance. My guess would be that this is where things will end up that Madrid will in the end yield more self government to Catalonia.

recedite · 27-05-2017 10:42am

eire4 wrote: »

Catalonia is the most powerful region in Spain economically

So what you're saying is that Catalonia yields a nice tax income to Madrid.
That actually works against the Catalans ability to negotiate their own self government.
In the case of Scotland and N. Ireland, the main reason HM govt. is willing to consider any kind of secession is because these regions are considered a drain on the overall UK economy (rightly or wrongly).

An Ciarraioch · 04-07-2017 5:07pm

The Catalan parliament has announced that it will declare independence immediately if Yes wins the October 1st poll. It seems unionists will vote this time, as a weekend poll saw a 53-47% "Yes" lead, and crucially, a 64% turnout that would satisfy neutral international observers.

http://www.ara.cat/en/The-countdown-begins-expected-turnout_0_1817818283.html

LeinsterDub · 04-07-2017 5:23pm

Is a Austria-Hungary solution possible here? 2 nations one king, one army?

recedite · 04-07-2017 5:26pm

Some unionists still not prepared to vote though;

The picture painted by the opinion poll is of massive voter turnout of those who favour a 'yes', with the ‘no’ vote being split. In other words, if we only count those who say they will vote, the ‘yes’ vote would total 67%, while the ‘no’ would stand at just 19%. The remainder would either cast a blank vote or are undecided/refused to answer.

Looks like a win for Yes though, even if everybody turns out.
The question then will be, what will Madrid do in response?
How will the EU react? Support "its" citizens rights, or abandon them and support the Madrid govt.

LeinsterDub · 04-07-2017 5:33pm

recedite wrote: »

How will the EU react? Support "its" citizens rights, or abandon them and support the Madrid govt.

What right do you feel the EU would be abandoning?
And by EU who do you mean the members states minus Spain and France?

An Ciarraioch · 04-07-2017 5:53pm

recedite wrote: »

Some unionists still not prepared to vote though;
Looks like a win for Yes though, even if everybody turns out.
The question then will be, what will Madrid do in response?
How will the EU react? Support "its" citizens rights, or abandon them and support the Madrid govt.

Even if the EU accepts the result, based on an adequate turnout, and recognises independence, one imagines Catalonia would have to spend a short spell outside the bloc while the negotiations are in progress, even with being fast-tracked ahead of the Balkans and meeting most legal requirements already. So, even if Spain and France didn't object, I couldn't see re-admission happening in less than two years.

recedite · 04-07-2017 10:18pm

There is no rule in EU law to say whether the citizens of a successor state retain EU membership or not.
The UN is more clear about it; “if a state is a continuator state then its UN membership will continue, whereas a new state must be formally admitted to membership”.

As there is no clear rule within the EU, the matter would be decided by other EU politicians doing deals with each other, but Spain would have more political clout than Catalan (both being continuator/successor states).

recedite · 04-07-2017 10:23pm

LeinsterDub wrote: »

What right do you feel the EU would be abandoning?

Well, we saw recently how the EU was very keen to negotiate to uphold "the current rights" of non-British EU citizens living in post Brexit UK, even though it would have no jurisdiction there.
Therefore it should be even more keen to uphold the democratic rights of Catalans, in a post Spain situation.
By EU I mean council of ministers and/or the commission.

LeinsterDub · 04-07-2017 11:49pm

recedite wrote: »

There is no rule in EU law to say whether the citizens of a successor state retain EU membership or not.
The UN is more clear about it; “if a state is a continuator state then its UN membership will continue, whereas a new state must be formally admitted to membership”.

As there is no clear rule within the EU, the matter would be decided by other EU politicians doing deals with each other, but Spain would have more political clout than Catalan (both being continuator/successor states).

Spain and the EU will reject the legitimacy of the vote. There will be no successor states.

LeinsterDub · 04-07-2017 11:55pm

recedite wrote: »

Well, we saw recently how the EU was very keen to negotiate to uphold "the current rights" of non-British EU citizens living in post Brexit UK, even though it would have no jurisdiction there.
Therefore it should be even more keen to uphold the democratic rights of Catalans, in a post Spain situation.
By EU I mean council of ministers and/or the commission.

Again this assumes the EU accept the legitimacy of the vote and even if they do the two situations are not analogous.

The UK are entitled to leave the EU. And now they may want to maintain some level of access to certain advantages of EU membership and as such negotiations are are on going. While from the EU perspective the Catalan issue is an internal Spanish issue and the vote is illegal.

HalloweenJack · 05-07-2017 7:53am

Do you not remember the rhetoric from the EU when Scotland had the vote?

It was made very clear that they would be outside of the EU and would have to reapply for membership if they voted to leave the UK. I can't see why Catalunya would be treated any differently.

recedite · 05-07-2017 2:48pm

HalloweenJack wrote: »

Do you not remember the rhetoric from the EU when Scotland had the vote?

It was only rhetoric. There is no actual existing rule for that situation.

LeinsterDub · 05-07-2017 4:18pm

recedite wrote: »

It was only rhetoric. There is no actual existing rule for that situation.

You're failing to acknowledge there is no situation apart from an illegal vote.

An Ciarraioch · 05-07-2017 5:11pm

Somewhat complicated by the fact that the Catalans would have preferred a legal vote, but Madrid have consistently refused to sanction this, so hard to see what alternative avenue was available. Much like Kosovo, it will be up to individual countries to decide whether or not to grant recognition, so in the hands of Simon Coveney in our case.

Fr Tod Umptious · 05-07-2017 5:23pm

An Ciarraioch wrote: »

Somewhat complicated by the fact that the Catalans would have preferred a legal vote, but Madrid have consistently refused to sanction this, so hard to see what alternative avenue was available. Much like Kosovo, it will be up to individual countries to decide whether or not to grant recognition, so in the hands of Simon Coveney in our case.

I seriously doubt many will go against an established European nation like Spain

It was easy to recognize Kosovo over the the evil Serbia in the war torn Balkans, far less chance of countries recognizing an Iberian breakaway states.

Catalan independence referendum, 2017

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