Other EU regions that wanted out

Scotland

The Scottish nationalist movement was granted an independence referendum in 2014, but it voted to remain part of the UK by 55 per cent to 45 per cent.

Basque Country

Spain’s Basque region has been pushing for secession for decades. But ETA, the terrorist group, ended violence in 2011.

Flanders

The Flemish Movement seeks autonomy inside the Belgian federal system, to the point where Belgium might cease to exist as a meaningful state.

Corsica

Corsican nationalists have fought for independence from Paris since the Sixties.

Padania

A confederation of northern Italian states called for independence after big electoral gains in the mid-nineties.