Catalonia Independece?

From USA Today:

"As Spain sinks, many in Catalonia want out"

This historic region on the Mediterranean -- a center of European industrial design and tourism -- has special status as an autonomous district of Spain known as Catalonia. And as financial problems mount for Spain, many here want to get a whole lot more autonomous. The Spanish government on Thursday announced another round of austerity measures aimed at building confidence that deficit reduction targets can be met. With Spain entering its second recession in four years, some Catalans say they are getting little for the river of tax revenue they send to Madrid annually and are pushing for outright independence.  While secession may sound like an unlikely event, Spain is taking it seriously given the country's heavy reliance on this economic powerhouse. "Financially speaking, Catalonia is perfect for Spain," said Osvald Calzada, 32, a copywriter from Lleida, in the western part of the region. "Catalonia is the cow they constantly milk, only giving her enough grass to survive."

King Juan Carlos has called for national unity as the governor of Catalonia announced Tuesday that elections will be held in November, two years ahead of schedule in what is widely seen as a referendum on the region's independence. The louder demands for independence in Catalonia are the latest divisive consequence of the European debt crisis, analysts say. As budget deficits grow, officials have had to slash funds for education, health services and public sector workers. More austerity measures were announced Thursday.  Anger was on display for all to see on Sept. 11, Catalonia's National Day, when an estimated 1.5 million people filled the streets bearing signs that said, "Catalonia, the next independent state in Europe," and "We want a divorce because we are not happy in this marriage." People sang the Catalan national anthem and marched through the city in one of the largest demonstrations in the history of Spain and aimed at Madrid. A recent media poll showed that 51% of Catalans would vote in favor of separating from Spain, the highest percentage ever marked on a survey. Talk of Catalonia independence in this financial climate prompted Spain's royal family to speak up, a rare move. The king, the head of state, has diplomatic duties and traditionally stays out of politics.  "In these circumstances, the worst thing we can do is divide our forces, encourage dissent, chase chimeras and deepen wounds," King Juan Carlos said. The king knows there is much at stake: If Catalonia were to leave, Spain would lose an economic engine that contributes 20% of its economy and holds one of the most important commercial harbors in the Mediterranean. The European Union has already warned Catalans that if they leave Spain they will have to seek readmission to the bloc, a process that, according to Buesa, could take years with all EU members unanimously required to approve the candidacy including Spain.

^ This is interesting as I have family there. I think that in the 21st Century any region (big or small) that thinks it can do better if they became a country then they should be allowed to do so if the majority of the people in that region vote for it (whether it is Catalonia, Quebec, Scotland or Virginia.) In most cases the region will not prosper, but they should have the right to try and fail if they want. I thought it was funny how the EU said that if Catalonia became a country they would have to ask permission from all EU member countries-  including Spain - to rejoin. The EU is a crumbling organization that is so far in debt that member countries - like Spain - have to make budget and other cuts to sustain itself. That is one major factor in people supporting Catalonia leaving Spain right now. If they gain their independence they should wait to rejoin the EU (otherwise the problems from before would simply continue.) ^

 

 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012/09/27/as-spain-sinks-many-in-catalonia-want-out/57848100/1