Catalan referendum: Catalonia has 'won right to statehood'

[Dashinka 24,798]

 

 

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont says the region has won the right to statehood following Sunday's contentious referendum which was marred by violence.

He said the door had been opened to a unilateral declaration of independence.

Hundreds of people were injured as Spanish police used force to try to block voting.

The Spanish government had pledged to stop a poll that was declared illegal by the country's constitutional court.

Police officers prevented some people from voting, and seized ballot papers and boxes at polling stations.

"With this day of hope and suffering, the citizens of Catalonia have won the right to an independent state in the form a republic," Mr Puigdemont said in a televised address flanked by other senior Catalan leaders.

"My government, in the next few days will send the results of today's vote to the Catalan parliament, where the sovereignty of our people lies, so that it can act in accordance with the law of the referendum."

 

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

[jg121783 3,921]

A conservative leaning part of Spain that produces 40% of the country's GDP wants to separate from the socialist leaning Spanish government and the Spanish government won't allow it? Go figure.

[Boiler 46,118]

Talk of Barcelona joining the Premier? 

[Dashinka 24,798]

This will be interesting as it plays out.  I wonder if Catalonia even wants to join the EU?  From what I read, the Catalonian economy is on par with Greece and is fairly vibrant, so I imagine the EU would want them, but maybe the Catalonians would rather stay apart from Brussels.  Now I would not be surprised to see the Basque areas follow suit.

[Boiler 46,118]

Would not Spain put a block on them joining?

[Dashinka 24,798]

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Would not Spain put a block on them joining?

I believe they would, but is does beg the question, they just voted to become independent from Spain, do they want to be beholden to Brussels.

[Boiler 46,118]

11 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

I believe they would, but is does beg the question, they just voted to become independent from Spain, do they want to be beholden to Brussels.

The Scotland equivalent did, somewhat weird. The comment then was that Spain would block them.

[Dashinka 24,798]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

The Scotland equivalent did, somewhat weird. The comment then was that Spain would block them.

I agree, Spain would certainly make it difficult to join the EU if they attempted.  I was reading up on this when there was that other thread posted about this topic (that was eventually removed), I could not find the exact ways Spain could block them, but I understand they can, just not sure if it is "veto" power, or whatever.

[Boiler 46,118]

Just now, Bill & Katya said:

I agree, Spain would certainly make it difficult to join the EU if they attempted.  I was reading up on this when there was that other thread posted about this topic (that was eventually removed), I could not find the exact ways Spain could block them, but I understand they can, just not sure if it is "veto" power, or whatever.

Scotland would not have qualified financially but that did not stop Greece.

 

Basically a veto.

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

This was not a bonfide referendum

[Dashinka 24,798]

26 minutes ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

This was not a bonfide referendum

Agreed, the Spanish Supreme Court deemed it illegal, but the people think it is real, so that may be all that matters.  Remember, it is optics.

[jg121783 3,921]

5 hours ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

This was not a bonfide referendum

Was it "bonafide" when we decided we no longer wanted to be a British colony?

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

1 hour ago, jg121783 said:

Was it "bonafide" when we decided we no longer wanted to be a British colony?

Is that a serious question?

[CaliCat 3,957]

23 minutes ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

Is that a serious question?

 

I hope that's a rhetorical question. LOL.

[Boiler 46,118]

Obviously not.