Date: 16th November 2017

Auxiliary material: Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, Successful Writing

Proficiency

Subject: The Catalonian Dispute (based on recent events)

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this report is to analyze the recent events which have occurred Catalonia, a controversial
region of Spain. In order to understand better the Catalan independence movement we shall firstly
briefly follow the event and it's development historically. It wouldn't make much sense to just go
ahead and talk about it without giving an explanation to a fundamental question after all: what is the
Catalan independence movement? What might seem a simple answer hides such sensitive insights of
an issue that has been existing for centuries now but I shall be concise and explain: it is a political
movement that derived from Catalan nationalism that ultimately seeks independence of Catalonia from
Spain.

So what are the roots of this conflict? As stated earlier there are centuries marked by this dispute
therefore we go all the way back to the 15th century and visit the territory of the Crown of Aragon
(during those times the Principality of Catalonia was still part of this territory and united to what
would later become the Kingdom of Spain). What was particular about those territories was their
rights to have distinctive political institution and their own fueros (laws and customs), therefore what
we understand is that they would have a certain independence and freedom of choice. However, this
perhaps state of wellbeing changed along with the Spanish power rise and although the people of
Catalonia tried to resist (which led to war between the fueros and the Spanish army) in the end, the
Franco-Spanish troupes conquered. Barcelona (the political centre of fueros) surrendered on 11
September 1714, the war ended with the imposition of 'the Nueva Planta' decrees which finally
centralized Spanish rule.

Curiously, the strong spirit of the fueros survived and pro-independence political movements started in
Catalonia during the 20th century with the foundation of Estat Catala (founded by Francesc Macia),
the first party to bring to the public's attention this problem kept in silence but not forgotten. The
optimistic debut was followed by a period of struggles (as the party had to go into exile in France for a
certain period of time) which ended though with a spectacular victory in 1931, when due to an
unstable political situation in Spain, Marcia was able to negotiate with the provisional chosen
government and managed to grant a statue of 'Generalitat of Catalonia' and autonomy later in 1932.
The autonomy was abolished in 1938 along with the title of 'Generalitat"

Manifests for autonomy kept happening and in 2003 after the Spanish elections new pro-autonomy
parties were formed. As expected in 2006 the statute of Autonomy of Catalonia was put to a
referendum and was approved as the results were for the independence. It's not hard to imagine what
happened afterwards. The opposing party challenged the referendum constitutionally in the Spanish
High Court of Justice and the case lasted no shorter than four years. In the end, the conclusion was that
there were several articles that favoured the Catalonians and should not be taken in consideration.

Another attempt was in 2014 in the form of a referendum. The context was different as it came after
the Parliament agreed to adopt the "Declaration of Sovereignty and of the Right to Decide of the
Catalan People" in January 2013. What was interesting about this particular document was that it
stated that Catalonians had the right to decide their own political future. Protests continued in 2013
with a massive human chain in 2013 and another referendum in 2014. The questions were direct and
simple: "Do you want Catalonia to become a State?" and (if yes) "Do you want this State to be
independent?" People's support was spectacular as they gathered in the centre of Barcelona to form a
giant V for vote. In addition, the Catalan Government changed the voting system in order to avoid
unfortunate events like the last time. The Spanish court suspended the process but the vote kept going
and the result was once again in the favour of Independence. However, the two Catalonian parties that
merged(responsible of the ongoing referendum process) broke up as a result of a disagreement over
the independence process. In September 2015 were held the elections in Spain and the pro-
independence party declared that if elected it would assure the independence of the Catalans. It could
not be assured as it lost. They tried to pass a resolution declaring the start the independence process
but the president firmly declined.

2017 arrived with many notable events as a referendum had already been announced in 2016 by
President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, for the second half of September 2017
with or without the consent of the Spanish institutions. "Do you want Catalonia to become an
independent state in the form of a republic?". Would this finally be the question to give back the
freedom to Catalonia? No if the referendum is illegal, state out and loud the Spanish representatives of
the government. This time the approach was different. After passing a law on September 6 the Catalan
government tried to provide legal framework pending the adoption of a new constitution. Yet, the law
was declared void on October 17 as the Spanish government intervened. By assuring all conditions for
a referendum to which anyone could participate, despite being suspended by the Constitutional Court,
it finally took place on October the 1st 2017. Although the majority of voters for the independence
was overwhelming (90%), there were found irregularities and the turnout was of only 43%.
Puigdemond declared the independence of Catalonia yet left it suspended, and promised to the people
to change this situation.

All in all, nowadays the Catalan Republic is not recognized by the international community, which
still regards to it as part of the Kingdom of Spain. Personally, I am unsure whether the situation shall
change in the near future as many attempts have already failed but Catalonians do have their own
distinctive culture that deserves respect and recognition.