Spain back from brink as Catalan breakaway stalls
Catalonia stepped back from outright rebellion last night as the president of the regional government shelved a proclamation of independence for 7.5million Catalans.
Rather than incur the punitive response promised by the Spanish government, Carlos Puigdemont announced he was asking the Catalan parliament for a suspension of the referendum vote in favour of independence.
there was tension on the streets of the Catalan capital Barcelona as large crowds gathered to hear him speak but, to the disappointment of many sep- aratists – and, doubtless, the cautious relief of European Union leaders – Mr Puigdemont told the Catalan parliament he wanted to ‘de-escalate’ the situation.
at the end of a lengthy speech, throughout which he kept the world waiting for a conclusive response, he declared a ‘mandate for Catalonia to become an independent republic’. Huge cheers erupted beneath a giant outdoor video screen next to Barcelona’s arc de triomphe where thousands of pro-independence Catalans had gathered, much as they might for a major football match.
But when Mr Puigdemont explained that he was asking the parliament to suspend the referendum result ‘for a few weeks’ to allow for ‘a reasonable dialogue and a mediation with the Spanish state’, the same crowds began to disperse. the atmosphere was suddenly akin to a scoreless draw – at best. Catalan politicians later signed a document they described as a declaration of independence – but delayed its implementation.
While their president’s words appear to have prevented an immediate full- scale crisis and the suspension of local government by the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy – who still has thousands of paramilitary police on standby across the region – there are still deep divisions here.
Spain remains in the throes of its gravest political crisis in 40 years.
Mr Rajoy had been uncompromising ahead of last night’s announce-
‘We are open to dialogue’
ment, pledging to bring down the full might of the Spanish state on any further ‘illegal’ secessionist moves by Mr Puigdemont. there were even reports of troops being ready to annexe key infrastructure.
last night’s emergency meeting of the Catalan parliament was the first opportunity for regional parties to discuss the referendum.
there had been global condemnation after Spanish police were filmed attacking both polling stations and voters.
the region has been on the cusp of civil disorder ever since. While separatists argue that a 90 per cent vote in favour of independence is an overwhelming mandate to break from Spain, unionists and most Spaniards outside Catalonia point out that only 43 per cent of Catalans actually voted.
after Spain’s constitutional court ruled that a proclamation of independence would be illegal, Mr Puigdemont deployed conciliatory language. He switched from Catalan to Spanish to assure the entire nation: ‘We are not criminals, we are not crazy. We are open to dialogue and we have nothing against Spain.’
none the less, few expect the government of Mr Rajoy to make concessions. Spain and its rebellious northern powerhouse remain on course for bitter divorce proceedings. if that happens, the EU must brace itself for renewed separatist tensions across Europe and a major challenge for the euro.
Spain is one of the largest members of the eurozone but its alreadytroubled economy would be seriously depleted without the contribution of Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of its GDP.
those outside the parliament last night were quick to show their support for Mr Puigdemont, despite the deflated mood.
Jordi, 35, an engineer, expressed disappointment but said: ‘this is a temporary delay of something that will happen anyway.’
Maria, 50 a teacher, described Mr Puigdemont’s speech as ‘extraordinary’ and added: ‘ We can not become independent without international support. and i am sure it will happen soon.’
all eyes are now on Madrid for Mr Rajoy’s response. Given the bellicose language of recent days, driven by hardliners in his party, he is unlikely to extend the hand of friendship.
Here in Barcelona, the clear feeling is that this is a crisis deferred – but not averted.