EU Parliament chief ‘fears’ spread of small nations as Italy regions vote

European Parliament chief, Antonio Tajani, said Europe should “fear” the spread of small nations as Spain struggled Sunday with the Catalonia crisis and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto voted in referenda on greater autonomy.

In an interview with the Rome daily, Il Messaggero, the Italian politician said Europe must of course “fear” the proliferation of small nations, AFP wrote.

“That’s why nobody in Europe intends to recognize Catalonia,” he said.

“Even (British Prime Minister) Theresa May, in the full throes of Brexit, said the United Kingdom would never recognize Catalonia.”

“Spain is by its history a unified state, with many autonomous regions, with diverse populations who also speak different languages, but who are part of a unified state.”

“It is not by degrading nationhood that we reinforce Europe,” Tajani said.

The referenda in Lombardy, which includes Milan, and Veneto, where Venice is located, are taking place in regions that together account for nearly a third of Italy’s economic output and a quarter of its population.

Voters are being asked if they are in favor of their region gaining “additional forms and particular conditions of autonomy.”

If approved, the outcome is only the beginning of a process which could, over time, lead to powers being devolved from Rome.

Secessionist sentiment in the two wealthy regions is restricted to fringe groups with little following.

Tajani, who belongs to the center right European People’s Party, took care to distinguish between Catalonia’s chaotic independence referendum, deemed illegal by the Spanish government, and Sunday’s votes in Italy.

“First of all these two referenda are legitimate; that was not the case in Catalonia.”

“In Spain, it is not about autonomy, but a proclamation of independence in defiance of the rule of law and against the Spanish Constitution.”

Lombardy sends 54 billion euros ($64 billion) more in taxes to Rome than it gets back in public spending. Veneto’s net contribution is 15.5 billion.

The two regions would like to roughly halve those contributions – a concession the cashstrapped state, laboring under a mountain of debt, can ill afford.