http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/ca...ce-news-514743


If they want to choose regression over progression let them get on with it . Retaining sovereignty means nothing when your country requires bail outs, look at Ireland.

What does your statement have to do with Catalan independence? Why would that be regression?

The Catalans have the right to be independent if they wish

The bigger issue is why. The Catalans have been excellent at spending too much money and getting in debt, and their politicians are even more corrupt and bigotted than the central government, so not sure what it would solve

Catalunya does have a more positive image in Europe though and they are economically more prosperous than the South

I guess the point is that the economy is a smoke screen, a lot of Catalans want independence but it is for cultural and social reasons. Good luck to them I say.

If they are successful then that will be the end of the Spanish state, the other provinces will break away too. The only problem with that is it would be the end of the Spanish national football team

For the first time ever, the polls are showing CatNats are in the majority.

It would be good to know what the people who were going on about self-determination on the Gibraltar thread think about this.

Should we wave goodbye to one of Spain's most prosperous and culturally vibrant regions and, heaven forbid, face the prospect of la Roja without Xavi, Puyol and Cesc?

And Jordi Alba, and Victor Valdes

My feeling is that if Catalunya goes then so will the rest. You could even be seeing an independent Andalucia!

Would it also solve the Gibraltar problem?

aren't they already almost there, being autonomous states, going to Madrid to get things rubber stamped is self defeating

as to an independent Andalucia, I would like to see a bit of evenness in spending power, leaving Malaga by road you know when you enter Granada - not actually a bump, just a reduction in road surface quality, no lights, no white lines. Also noticed it up at Iznajar where the road changes from one to the other.

but sorry, I can't see it happen.

That would depend on whether the entity known as Spain failed to exist - and whether Andalucia take up the cause that is currently being run from Madrid

Christ, if Andalucia became independent they wouldn't need white lines on the roads, the donkeys wouldn't know what they're for.

If Andalucia left Spain it would be a little bit of Morocco in Europe

we already get a mixed flock of sheep and goats crossing the main Granada - Cordoba road every day.

Maybe so, Fred, but don't get too cocky. Militarily, international laws protect Gibraltar, but if the Andalucians stampeded a couple of thousand donkeys across the border you couldn't shoot them and would have to evacuate.

Or set up a pet food factory

Except that Andalucians are eight times richer than Morrocans

GDP per capita in Morocco is $3,000
GDP per capita in Andalcua is $20,000

But dont miss an opportunity to use xenophobia to make yourselves feel superior!

I can only think of one on this forum with an inferiority complex

I really hate it when people post statistics without including the source reference............. where have i read that before ?

but whichever way you look at it, Andalucia is the poorest part of Spain, so the rest of the country is rolling in €€€€€€'s
tell me again why it is broke .....