When Spain returned to democracy in 1977 following the collapse of the
Franco dictatorship, one of the thorniest issues to be resolved was
the issue of regionalism.
During the Spanish Civil War, the Nationalists under Franco insisted
on a unitary Spanish state, with no concessions for regional autonomy.
Catalans and Basques generally sided with the Spanish Republic.
Withthe victory of Franco, regional nationalism was suppressed
(although nationalists found ways to give expression to their
aspirations ranging from Basque terrorism to using theBarcelona
football team as an expression of Catalan nationalism, particularly
against the hated Real Madrid team, a showcase of the Franco regime)
in returning to democracy, a compromise was reached. Spain was a
single state, but at the same time extended autonomy to the various
regions, although certain regions, such as Catalonia and the Basque
region, received greater autonomy because their regional aspirations
were more fully developed.
The compromise generally held during the years of growth and
prosperity. The European Union policy of encouraging regionalism was
exploited by the Catalans and Basques to carve out further autonomy -
even in relations with foreign governments. The Catalans and Basques
also were courted as coalition partners and could use the negotiations
to carve out further autonomy.
Spain's current fiscal crisis has raised the national issue again. A
major factor in the Spanish deficit has been the need to clear the
debts of the regions that had enjoyed a good deal of fiscal autonomy.
Catalonia, an economic powerhouse, is claiming that its deficit is not
the result of fiscal mismanagement, but because it receives less from
the central government than it contributes.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, whose party is descended from
the forces that supported Franco (although the party has disavowed
Franco-ism and the Franco dictatorship), objects to giving Catalonia
special treatment, saying that all of Spain has to solve the crisis
together.
Paradoxically, if Catalonia was to secede,this would seriously impede
the government's ability to help poorer regions of the country.
Spanish monarch Juan Carlos, answered back to his prime minister in a
rare political intervention "This is decisive moment for the future of
Europe and Spain. Under these circumstances, the worst thing we can do
is to divide our strength, encourage dissensions, follow pipe dreams,
and deepen wounds."
Artur Mas, the president of the regional government of Catalonia,
emboldened by a mammoth demonstration in Barcelona, is insisting on
additional sovereignty, particularly in the field of taxation.
Otherwise, he threatens to move up regional elections to generate a
push for independence.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/160191#.UF8cArQf6kY
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