Catalonia's Push for Independence: Protests in Barcelona - Essay Sample

Introduction

Over the past few days and months, the situation in Barcelona has moved from peace to protests by the citizens for the things they view to be unfair to the part of Catalonia. Catalonia is part of Spain, and over the past decade, it has been pushing for its independence from the Spanish government. The region has about 7.5 million individuals, and it has its anthem, language, parliament, and flag. Consequently, the region has its police, and it has to control some of its public services. With Barcelona being is a capital city is acts and the central area of support for the region's political strategy and boost.

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Why There is Crisis in Catalonia?

The Spanish government over that decades has been reluctant to give the separatists in Catalonia a referendum of independence, and the issue became critical following the 2008 financial crisis. The main problem is that the national government takes more than it receives from the region inform of taxes. However, the complexity of the budget transfers makes it hard to determine if the argument is valid or not as the area gets support from the government in the form of services such as schools and hospitals. Therefore, the people fell that the government is oppressing then. Consequently, they resulted in having independence from the Spanish government, something that the national government has been reluctant to do.

Following the referendum in 2014 that the Spaniard government outlawed the separatists won the 2015 elections in the region. The people of Catalonia did not give up, and on 1st October 2017, the part conducted another referendum that Spain's constitutional court declared illegal. The organizers of the poll stated that about 90% of the voters supported the split from Spain, but on the other hand, only 43% of the Catalonia region came out and voted. These issues and others that followed, such as the regions declaring independence from Spain and swearing in their president. However, Madrid did everything in its power to prevent the independence of Catalonia by sending to prison the people who were involved in the treasonous act.

Current Crisis 2019

The main issue that has resulted in the current crisis in Catalonia is sending to jail Catalonia leaders by the Spanish court. The prison sentence is between nine and thirteen years. The leaders of separatists were jailed for their involvement in the illegal and unconstitutional referendum of 2017. The other three individuals were found guilty of disobedience, and there were only fined. All the 12 defendants in the case denied the charges. On the other hand, large crowds of pro-independence people clashed with law enforcers at the airport. This resulted in the cancellation of about 108 flights.

The supported if Catalan's independent, organized protests, and they marched in the city, blocking several streets and access to stations. Following the ruling, a warrant of arrest was issued against the former president of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont, who is currently living abroad. He stated that the citizens of Catalonia are victims of revenge and strategy of repression.

The Trial

Some of the leaders who were sent to prison were individuals holding high offices in the Catalonian government, while others were influential cultural advocates and activists. The defendants told the court in Madrid that the charges were based on false evidence and that they were victims of injustice. The longest sentence was given to Oriol Junqueras, who was the vice president of Catalonia. The verdict was for 13 years as he was the highest-ranking leaders of pro-independence.

Other reasons for the long sentence were abuse if public funds and sedition. On the other hand, the prosecution had sought for 25 years in prison the Oriol, but the court ruled otherwise. Primarily, the new international and European warrant of arrest against Mr. Puigdemont as given the grounds of misuse of public funds and sedition. However, he had fled the country earlier of 2017 following the failed independence bid to Belgium, and he was avoiding prosecution.

The reaction from the leaders and some citizens has indicated that the separatists would return stronger. This was the comment by Mr. Junaqueras as he accused the government of Spain for sending people to jail for their political disagreement and ideals. However, Spain's prime minister argued that he and his fellow defendants were jailed for criminal conduct. Mr. Puigdemont claimed that the sentence was an atrocity, and he stated that on his twitter, "Now more than ever... it is time to react like never before," "For the future of our sons and daughters. For democracy. For Europe. For Catalonia." These are some of the comments that might have mobilized people to protest the arrest as they perceive him as their leaders, although he might be in exile. The people of Catalonia are determined to get their independence, and it seems that the issue is not going away any time soon.

Polls from the Spanish Centro de Investigaciones Sociologicas indicate that most people in Catalonia argues that there is a possibility through which the secessionist fever can be put away with. The only solution the people think is available is if and only the national government decentralizes power. The people of Catalonia are needed the power to feel a sense of governing themselves. However, the rest of Spain seems to be not in agreement with such arguments. Primarily, from the data, only 12% of the Spain population want decentralization, and further 8% are in favor of the secession referendum. Moreover, 43% percent are in favor of semi-federal autonomous regions.

Primarily, for Catalonia to get their secession referendum, it requires a constitutional reform. However, to have a legal change requires two-thirds of the Spanish parliament, something which is not possible with the current political system. Moreover, democracy in the country is young and having had many failed constitutions, Spaniards are protective of the one in place as it has ensured prosperity and stability in the country. The ultimate solution for Spain seems to be federalism, but with difficulties in forming a government and the latest electoral results, it will not happen anytime soon. Consequently, there is no evidence that Catalonia will get its independence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue that Spain is facing has had a more significant impact on the economy of Catalonia and Spain at large. The citizens of Catalonia are putting forward arguments that need discussion to come up with better solutions for the nation. Jailing leaders because they hold a different opinion is not right, and it will make things worse. The issue is brewing slowly, and it will explode, and it will have a more significant impact on the nation, and items might reach a point of no return.