Catalonia Independence
By: Ethan
Please note: Photo/map credits at end of post.
In recent months the unity of Spain has been up in the air. The autonomous region of Catalonia in Northeastern Spain held a referendum on the 1st of October 2017 to answer the question “Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state in the form of a republic?” There were two boxes yes, and no. 
The Catalan parliament passed a bill on the 6th of September that said they would hold the referendum. The law also said that within 48 hours of a “Yes” vote win, the parliament would have to declare independence. This was quickly met by Spanish courts and authorities claiming the referendum illegal and unconstitutional. While the vote may be legal, declaring independence would be illegal. The independence would go against the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation". The Catalan authorities decided to go ahead with the vote. 
The Catalonia region of Spain is very industrialized and very wealthy. They make up 1/5th of the country's economy. The region has long had many cultural differences such as having their own language. After losing several privileges of their autonomous status and with spain being hit hard in the 2008 financial crisis, support for independence has surged in recent years.
Most european nations do not want an independent catalonia because they feel this will strengthen independence support in their own countries. Spain has other independence issues with other regions. Many of the separatist regions including scotland were looking very closely at the results with hopes it could increase support for themselves.
The day of the vote was full of violence. Spain sent police to the region to stop the vote and they responded with violence by injuring nearly 1000. Many condemned Spain's response to people's attempts to vote. The voter turnout was below half with 43% reported. The result of the vote was very strongly in favor of independence with over 90% voting yes.
After the vote many companies left catalonia hoping to stay in the EU. this includes 2 large Spanish banks and a large energy giant that supplies Barcelona's water. The future of Catalonia is up in the air. The Prime minister has yet to declare independence. Spain has threatened to trigger article 155 of their constitution which would give control to the central government.
What does the future hold for this region? No one seems to know.
References
A. (2017, October 17). Catalonia: Spain's constitutional court declares Catalan referendum law void. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalonia-catalan-independence-referendum-spain-constitutional-court-void-a8004941.html
Catalonia referendum: Does the region want to leave Spain? (2017, October 06). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415 (Picture: Map of Spain)
Staff, A. (2017, October 09). AP Explains: Status of high stakes Spain-Catalonia standoff. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/65524d3701be41da8e2b6264b04e0dd5/AP-Explains:-Status-of-high-stakes-Spain-Catalonia-standoff
Staff, A. (2017, October 09). AP Explains: Status of high stakes Spain-Catalonia standoff. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/65524d3701be41da8e2b6264b04e0dd5/AP-Explains:-Status-of-high-stakes-Spain-Catalonia-standoff
Staff, A. (2017, October 16). The Latest: Spain lowers growth forecast amid uncertainty. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/f87e8e7dd86240d5a412ba3a7a1a6b2e/The-Latest:-Spain-asks-for-jailing-of-Catalonia-police-chief
Staff, O. F. (2017, June 09). Tensions grow in Spain as Catalonia independence referendum confirmed. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/09/tensions-grow-spain-catalonia-independence-referendum-confirmed/ (Picture: Flags of Catalonia)
Updated! Catalonia Referendum Results Maps: How Did Each Region Vote? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.polgeonow.com/2017/10/catalonia-independence-vote-2017-results-map-graph.html (Picture: Map of Results)
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