Scenes in Catalonia
Terrible scenes in Barcelona, with IMO, apparent vicious repression of demonstrators.
I appreciate the referendum had been declared "illegal" by the Spanish government, but surely there could have been a better way of dealing with the issue? Done little to enhance Spain's reputation in the eyes of the world I would think, especially reports of counter demonstrators chanting "Viva Franco". |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by Countryboy1
(Post 12350953)
Terrible scenes in Barcelona, with IMO, apparent vicious repression of demonstrators.
I appreciate the referendum had been declared "illegal" by the Spanish government, but surely there could have been a better way of dealing with the issue? Done little to enhance Spain's reputation in the eyes of the world I would think, especially reports of counter demonstrators chanting "Viva Franco". |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by Fredbargate
(Post 12350980)
Democracy has never existed in Spain
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Re: Scenes in Catalonia
I first came to Spain before Franco kicked the bucket. I can confirm that democracy is very much greater than under the fascist regime! There may be some way to go but that is true of a number of W European countries including England.
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Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Not my words but this does make sense IMO:
The EU is in self-preservation mode. Their nightmare scenario goes. Catalonia becomes independent and takes its revenue with it. Rump Spain starts running an increasingly large deficit and starts getting into financial trouble. A major Euro nations gets into financial trouble - a failing Spain is big enough to break the Euro. A broken Euro would be the financial crisis to end all financial crisis's. In many ways it's the law of unintended consequences at work. In trying to create a European superstate, the EU has: Weakened the national identity of the nation states that make up the EU. Given the potential for an newly independent state to join the single market - albeit after a minimum of five years to tick all the required boxes. Chickens are slowly heading home to roost. |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
It must be rather embarrassing to have wished so long for the collapse of the EU (and having read the daily mail, having been convinced it was inevitable), only to find it getting stronger. Now this might bring back hope for a total collapse, as you suggest.
If Catalonia exits, it will be like Brexit. The EU won't look fondly on it, and like Britain, Catalonia would be the one who suffers the most. But if that's what they want... Then so be it. Just like Brexit. But it's just another "everybody loses" proposition. Just like Brexit. |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by Biffta
(Post 12350982)
I didn’t mention the word.........deliberately!
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Re: Scenes in Catalonia
The scenes shown on the news here were shocking - police stomping on people, throwing them down stairs, dragging them by their hair, etc.
Not a good luck for sure :( |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by marcbernard
(Post 12351064)
I
first came to Spain before Franco kicked the bucket. I can confirm that democracy is very much greater than under the fascist regime! There may be some way to go but that is true of a number of W European countries including England. He said: "It has been chilling. I have seen riot police in action in many parts of the world. Normally riot police are dealing with riots. "These were people carrying out what they believe was their democratic right - going into polling stations peacefully, putting a mark on a peace of paper and putting it in a box. "And for doing that, in the European Union, police were pulling them out by their hair...they were being stamped upon they were being thrown to one side - and then rubber bullets being used to disperse them." Catalonia independence vote: 'Hundreds injured' in referendum clashes |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by amideislas
(Post 12351186)
It must be rather embarrassing to have wished so long for the collapse of the EU (and having read the daily mail, having been convinced it was inevitable), only to find it getting stronger. Now this might bring back hope for a total collapse, as you suggest.
If Catalonia exits, it will be like Brexit. The EU won't look fondly on it, and like Britain, Catalonia would be the one who suffers the most. But if that's what they want... Then so be it. Just like Brexit. But it's just another "everybody loses" proposition. Just like Brexit. |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by Countryboy1
(Post 12350953)
Terrible scenes in Barcelona, with IMO, apparent vicious repression of demonstrators.
I appreciate the referendum had been declared "illegal" by the Spanish government, but surely there could have been a better way of dealing with the issue? Done little to enhance Spain's reputation in the eyes of the world I would think, especially reports of counter demonstrators chanting "Viva Franco". |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by Loafing Along
(Post 12351629)
I think it is difficult for a foreigner to really understand the depth of feelings in Catalunia - amazing interview with an OAP so pleased to be able to vote for independence after years of being "subjected" to Madrid regime - has harboured resentment ever since the Civil War.
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Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Originally Posted by Biffta
(Post 12351632)
You may be correct in your view that the depth of feeling is difficult to understand by foreigners, but these scenes are beamed around the world and impact upon the world view of Spain and its political and social stability. So notwithstanding whether or not foreigners understand the issue, it must affect Spain’s image in the eyes of the world and perhaps have an impact upon its economic outlook.
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Re: Scenes in Catalonia
My in-laws live in Barcelona and said it was such a weird day yesterday - we usually head to Barcelona at this time of year but chose not to due to the vote.
My father in law is a retired doctor, Catalan through and through and voted to exit. But he's not a "separatist" or an activist - just thinks it's for the best to preserve Catalan culture. My mother in law is from Madrid, with her family being solidly PP (though she is not - she's a PSOE supporter). The family switch between Spanish and Catalan with zero efforts (FIL speaks Catalan to the kids, Spanish to MIL and me). Anywho - they live between Sagrada Familia and Gracia and said that if you weren't aware of anything going on - you wouldn't have noticed. Their precinct was peaceful, they went at 8 - voted (which is earlier than they tend to get up, but they wanted to go before there was any trouble). Said the atmosphere was "fiesta like". They went and had a coffee in a local bar and got a text from Sister in law who was caught up in one of the protests (not as a protester, she was on her way to the medical clinic where she works). Their attitude was...seeing how Rajoy's dealt with this...it's pushing people that were on the fence to supporting the independence movement. |
Re: Scenes in Catalonia
Has there been even the slightest indication as to whether ex-pat Brits will, or will not, be welcome in an independent Catalunya?
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