The Catalan independence movement is a perennial factor in Spanish politics, but it's had a new lease on life since the financial crisis and the imposition of brutal austerity by the country's banker-friendly, authoritarian government.
Last year's symbolic referendum was a sign of the region's displeasure with Madrid, and the annual independence marches grow bigger each year. Barcelona's election an anti-eviction activist to the mayor's chair is the surface expression of deep political discontent.
Across the EU, national unity is fraying as regions seek to break free of the neoliberal consensus on austerity and privatisation. Of course, the leaders of those fragile nations have lined up to tell Catalonians that a vote for independence will mean an end to EU membership -- starting...
Read more...
[New post] Tomorrow’s Catalan elections are a referendum on independence
Join This Site Show Conversion CodeHide Conversion Code Show EmoticonHide Emoticon
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.