I Wonder Why...?

I will be writing about aspects of Spanish history and their traditions. I am a very curious person and have always needed to know "why" they do it, and "how" it came about. So over the years while living in Spain I have made a conscious effort to discover "el porque de las cosas" and I will be sharing them with you. I hope you find it as fascinating as I do.

Catalan public opinion swings toward “no” for independence
Tuesday, December 23, 2014 @ 12:02 AM

For the first time since Catalan leader Artur Mas began his ongoing independence drive in 2012, a survey shows that a majority in the region would reject secession if a referendum were held now.

The latest poll by the Catalan executive’s Opinion Studies Center (CEO) shows that 45.3 percent of citizens would vote no to the question: “Would you like Catalonia to become an independent state?” compared with 44.5 percent who would support the move.

By comparison, last October the yes vote represented 49.4 percent of respondents. The research center asked the same two questions that were put to citizens on November 9, when the Catalan government held its non-binding vote on independence for the region.

Canvassers also asked Catalans which state model they prefer: a fully independent state, a federalist system that would grant greater powers to the regions but fall short of independence, or the existing autonomous system with its devolved powers.

Here as well, secessionist sentiment has fallen compared to October. The first option dropped from 45.3 percent to 36.2 percent, while federalism has grown from 22.2 percent to 28.9 percent. In the survey, 21.8 percent want things to remain the way they are, versus 22.2 percent in October.

The Socialist Party has long been calling for a restructured state model that would turn Spain into a federation of associated entities, although so far no Socialist leader has provided any details of how such a system would work or how it would be different from the current model of autonomous regions.

As for the next regional elections, the survey shows that the ruling nationalist bloc Convergència i Unió (CiU) and their on-and-off coalition partners Republican Left (ERC) would practically be tied, with around 35 representatives each.
Premier Mas has been toying with the idea of calling early elections to act as a de facto plebiscite on independence for Catalonia, but no date has yet been set.

ERC leader Oriol Junqueras said on Friday that he trusts Mas will do so soon.

“We are certain that the chief of the Generalitat will make this gesture and call elections in the coming days or weeks, which is what all the citizens of Catalonia are expecting,” he said after meeting with Mas in the regional assembly.

[source el pais]

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jaguarsteve said:
Saturday, December 27, 2014 @ 7:52 PM

Hi Thomas,
It seems you have nothing positive to say about the Catalan people or Catalunya.
If you lived amongst the true Catalans, you would see they are more and more motivated towards independance.

Thomas Oliver said:
Sunday, December 28, 2014 @ 2:18 AM

Hi jaguarsteve

Actually I think you have misinterpreted my position. I have plenty of good things to say about the Catalans and Cataluña, but I haven't decided to write about that yet. What I do have nothing positive to write about is the independance of Cataluña from Spain. I think it would be a real disaster for the real Catalans. For you interest I have lived amongst real Catalans and have family in Cataluña. I know it very well, which is also how I know that so many people are ignorant to the whole situation. Now it appears that they aren't so motivated....and the trend is going that way. First bit of common sense I 've see in a long time.
Cataluña will never achieve independance. Nor should it. There is no way it could survive and for the record not all Catalans want independance.

jaguarsteve said:
Sunday, December 28, 2014 @ 11:45 AM

Hi Thomas,
To be honest, I don't really believe that any non Spanish/Catalan people should get involved with this topic, as it is genuinely something that is passed on through the generations and you and I could never feel as commited. However, I am interested to know why you don't think Catalunya would survive? The wealth alone coming out of Barcelona helps finance poorer parts of Spain. Also if Spain wants to keep Catalunya Spanish, why doesn't it treat them as fairly as the rest of Spain. You only have to look at the autopista system to see that in Spain there are very few toll road and where there are tolls, they cost next to nothing. Almost every autopista in Catalunya is a toll road and the costs are a lot more expensive by comparison. I know these do not seem like politically important issues, but a change in policy's might eventually win over some votes from the Catalans if they were treated fairly. The continuous attack from Spain over Catalunya will never win anything or help this desperate situation.