Global Policy Forum

On November 25, Catalans cast their ballot in what was expected to be a “historical moment” for the wealthy province that has been seeking independence from Spain since Franco’s decades of oppression. Despite a major setback for the right wing separatist Convergència i Unió, nationalist parties gained majority in parliament thanks to the surprising result of the leftist Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya. The promised referendum therefore remains a strong possibility. An independent Cataluña would not only pose a challenge to Spain – turning it suddenly into one of the most impoverished countries of the euro zone - but also to a crisis-ridden European Union, who has never had a member state split up. Ultimately, Andrew McFadyen argues that the increasing popularity of separatist movements across Europe “begs the question of whether citizenship resides with the people or their governments.” (Al Jazeera)

Could Catalonia become the world's newest state? In light of Spain’s unpopular austerity measures to solve its budget deficits and considering that 50% of the youth is unemployed, Catalonia’s historical quest for independence has never been more popular among its population. While the region currently enjoys a semi-autonomous status, Catalonia’s regional parliament voted on September 27 to hold a non-binding referendum on the region’s independence in November.  Yet, Sam Bollier suggests that the region still “faces high barriers to becoming a fully independent country.” (Al Jazeera)

After a year in which it had observed a unilateral ceasefire, Basque separatist group ETA finally renounced the use of arms and sought talks with the Spanish and French governments. The group’s definitive statement ends one of Europe’s bloodiest armed campaigns for independence and concludes half a century of violence. The Spanish government is set to come under immediate pressure to legalize the Batasuna party and other separatist organizations that were banned for being ETA fronts. (Guardian)

Spain is witnessing a recent resurgence of vocal Catalan nationalism. Although Catalonia enjoys “autonomy”, the devolution of authority is not total, resulting in nationalists demanding Catalan independence. Many Catalans feel strongly that Spain is exploiting Catalonia’s resources to subsidize poorer areas of Spain, without adequately recognizing the Catalan identity or demands for self-determination. This article highlights how these demands are not uniform, but divided between Catalans who have different interpretations of Catalonia’s future. (International Herald Tribune)

The Basque separatist group, ETA, has declared what it says is a "permanent" ceasefire.  The Spanish government, however, is skeptical that the group will keep its word.  ETA has a history of violence beginning in the 1960s, and in 2006 it detonated a bomb at the Madrid Barajas International Airport after it had declared a "permanent" ceasefire.  While ETA says the ceasefire is "internationally verifiable," it has not elaborated on what it means by this statement, and it is unlikely that international observers will be allowed to inspect the group's arms store. (The Economist)