Here’s why pardoning the Catalan separatists might work for all

The events surrounding the ill-advised push for Catalan independence from two years ago and the subsequent fallout, culminating in street violence last week, have been distressing; for Catalonia, for the rest of Spain and certainly for some of us who live and work in Barcelona.

What next for Catalonia?

There is no end in sight to the Catalan crisis. Spain has a new prime minister, but progress is by no means assured.

Votando por apellidos

http://www.lavanguardia.com/opinion/20171206/433447276143/votando-por-apellidos.html

LLUÍS AMIGUET

“Hace 20 años que los catalanes votamos lo mismo respecto al eje que fue nacionalista; después soberanista y luego independentista, pero que siempre nos ha dividido en dos mitades. Dentro de cada bloque, ha habido trasvases de votos y bailes de siglas, pero, pese al terremoto político y económico que hemos sufrido, las dimensiones de los dos se han mantenido y se mantienen hoy en las encuestas que anticipan un país ingobernable”.

Carles Puigdemont has become the worst enemy of Catalan independence movement

The Catalan parliament reconvened on January 17^th, to elect a new speaker. Judging by the proceedings, there is not much cause for optimism.   

Why a unilateral declaration of Catalan independence would be a bad mistake

Catalonia has lived a terrible week. After a controversial and illegal referendum which took place on October 1^st, the region has plunged into uncertainty. A wave of demonstrations unfolded across Catalonia and the rest of Spain.

It is important to know that an independent Catalonia would be outside the EU

Any independent Catalan state would undoubtedly find itself outside the European Union. This has now been determined beyond doubt and it is important that the Catalans know it.

Anti-independence actors in Catalonia need to work together

Catalonia, a prosperous region in the northeast of Spain, still seems to be largely associated with Barcelona, holidays, football and sun by the outside world. This may change, however, because of the region’s divisive political momentum. The central issue is that of Catalan independence from Spain.