Catalonia

[Kwacky]

Is it going to kick off in Spain?

Spain is set to put in place measures to take direct control of Catalonia in response to the region's declaration of independence last week.

On Friday, Madrid stripped Catalonia of its autonomy and removed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont from office.

The temporary move will see as many as 150 of the region's ministers replaced. Some have vowed to continue to work.

Mr Puigdemont and other Catalan officials may face criminal charges, a move likely to lead to huge protests.

[Scuff]

I still can't see how Catalonia are going to make it work?...... border control , banking , pensions etc. etc .... The whole thing just doesn't seem well thought through to me.

[Kwacky]

None of these breakaway plans ever are.

Catalonia is responsible for a large part of Spain's wealth, which is why they want to break away. The problem is, Spain would stop trading with them and then they face the problem of trying to get into the EU.

[Jack]

Spain are out of order in this situation , Catalonia has its own culture and language , they are a separate people , as are the Basques and under article 73 of the UN charter should be allowed the right of self government , it's why we had to grant scotland the right to hold a referendum , it is'nt allowed under english law but to satisfy our responsibilities as a signatory to the UN charter we had to allow it . Spain has the obligation to do the same for the catalans and both Spain and france if the basques ask for it , I have heard that some of the northern italian states also want to cede from italy which again is only about 100 years old as the nation we know today .

Chapter XI Article 73
b. to develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and their varying stages of advancement;

[duke63]

having just spent the weekend there, the area is very divided. Many Catalans we spoke to also want to remain as part of Spain.

I think much of this is one politician trying to make a name for himself and then he does a runner.

[Deegee]

I think much of this is one politician trying to make a name for himself and then he does a runner.

I think in essence you’ve hit the nail on the head, there may be a few others involved, but essentially the Catalan Politicians in power are looking for their names to go in the history books without caring if they succeed or not.

It’s like Alex Salmond’s gang and their naked ambition all over again.

[D41]

None of these breakaway plans ever are.

Pretty much nails it. They sound great in principle, not so much in practice.

Just ask Texas.

[duke63]

Catalonia already has a fair bit of self governance.

The world has to learn to work together and set aside grievances from decades ago and not split itself into ever smaller parts.