Spain's Response to Catalonia's Independence: The Big Picture

An in-depth exploration of the effects of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests and the Indian diaspora.

Current Situation

• Europe is dealing with numerous issues, such as Brexit, immigration problems, the rise of the right wing in Austria, and now, Spain's direct rule in Catalonia.
• The Spanish Prime Minister plans to enforce Article 155 of the constitution, which would allow the central government to suspend Catalonia's autonomy.
• This is the first time Article 155 has been invoked in Spain's history since it gained independence.
• Despite a low turnout in a recent referendum, 90% of the voters supported Catalonia's independence.
• The leader of the Catalonian independence movement warned that if Article 155 is invoked, Catalonia will declare its independence.
• The European Union has declined to mediate the issue, viewing it as an internal matter of Spain.
• Other separatist movements in Europe include those in Scotland and Bavaria.

Historical Context

• Before the Spanish civil war, there was a significant amount of autonomy, which was later suppressed during Francisco Franco's rule.
• After Franco's death, Spain saw a resurgence of autonomy and democratic rule.
• Therefore, the current internal conflicts over autonomy in Spain are not new.

Causes of the Unrest

• After the 2008 economic crisis, Spain experienced a rise in anarchist sentiments and the emergence of the left.
• The recent Brexit has had a severe impact all over Europe.
• About 700 companies have relocated from Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.
• Prior to the economic crisis, Catalonia was a significant contributor to Spain's economy, but has not received fair treatment from the Spanish government, leading to the current unrest.
• The crisis is largely a result of economic mismanagement, with Catalonia feeling deprived despite being a major contributor to Spain's GDP.

Potential Solutions

• The Catalonian government should seek a legally binding solution within the framework of the Spanish constitution.
• A compromise might be reached by granting further autonomy to Catalonia.
• EU leaders should engage in dialogue to deescalate the crisis, which has the potential to spread across and beyond the continent.
• Any future developments will impact politics in Spain, Europe, and potentially other regions outside Europe.
• Having experienced three major civil wars in the past 180 years, Spain does not want another political crisis and is aware of the potential repercussions.
• However, a delay in resolving the crisis could spark major political unrest across the country, emphasizing the need for diplomatic dialogue and EU intervention as soon as possible.