Now that Catalonia has declared its independence, and that Madrid is moving to impose direct rule, how do you think events unfold in the next few days?

I am not sure people have a stomach for another civil war. Even the younger people are well aware of the scars that still exist for a war that was over 80 years ago.

But the political and economic repercussions of this will be ugly.

Some of the commentators, talking heads etc. I heard on France television tonight think that the biggest danger is within Catalonia itself as not a majority of Catalans are in favor of independence. Rural areas yes, Barcelona no. How Spain goes about imposing direct rule will have a huge effect. As said above . . .ugly.

I returned from Madrid two days ago.
In many visits to the city I have never seen Spanish flags hanging from balconies and buildings. Now, there were everywhere.
I was watching the news on TV showing a bus with some sports team from Barcelona ...not sure what town it was. - people were waiving Spaish flags and yelling at the bus: "Hijos de puta " ( sons of bitches).
The central gov .has the support of the ( socialist) opposition, and the EU.
As noted , half of the province's population does not support the independence.
Also, 1700 companies have moved their head offices to other Spanish cities.

The central gov. has called for the elections in Cataluya in Dec.
Not sure how that will work?

they were...

LoackerReturns . . . not quite sure why you need to 'return' since your previous profile is still active.

http://www.fodors.com/community/profile/Loacker/

Is there a reason you need two?

Trying to create panic?

My guess s/he thinks one or the other profile might be banned so has a spare

Me thinks it's his/her business as to why- meanwhile throwing this serious thread off track with petty comments.

Civil War? Does Catalonia have an army - would Catalan troops of Spanish army rebel - no that is not even remotely a possibility - Catalonians as a whole want freedom it seems and will try to gain by passive resistance to any Spanish Governor's dictates or any control from Spain - resulting in stalmate and chaos that will hurt both sides.

That's all they need in Europe IMO more mini states -Basques would possible rekindle their independence move - no best solution for Catalans is a U.K. type state with somewhat autonomous 'states' like Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland.

" Catalonians as a whole want freedom it seems and will try to gain by passive resistance to any Spanish Governor's dictates or any control from Spain"

The point of the TV discussions was that Catalans AS A WHOLE haven't decided anything. The problem is the almost equal division of opinion . . .yes and no . . .

Yes I know my profile is still there, but I can't access it for some reason.


PalenQ, good too see you again buddy!

Where's my frenemy Whathello?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41780116

The Catalonian Parliament represents the people of Catalonia and they voted to become independent. Thus why I said as a whole - well maybe not all but their elected leaders do so overwhelmingly.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29478415

>> no best solution for Catalans is a U.K. type state with somewhat autonomous 'states' like Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland.<<

That is what they already have, of course. The trouble is that the Spanish constitution apparently does not allow for referenda on independence. But assuming direct rule hardly raises the spectre of Franco, since that provision of the constitution requires new elections to the Catalan parliament (two concepts that were not exactly part of Franco's mindset).

Where's my frenemy Whathello?>

check out pariswat - one of three incarnations of Whathello.

Weird janis can access your profile and you cannot???

"The trouble is that the Spanish constitution apparently does not allow for referenda on independence"

Making the election illegal, the votes illegal etcetcetc . .

What EU countries do allow for referenda on independence?

"Weird janis can access your profile and you cannot???'

He may mean that he can't log in and post using that (previous) screen name. You can view any profile by clicking on the poster's name (in blue).

"he Catalonian Parliament represents the people of Catalonia and they voted to become independent. Thus why I said as a whole - well maybe not all but their elected leaders do so overwhelmingly."


Catalan parliament has 135 members from different parties..
only 80 voted ( 70 yes) , the others walked out in protest.
So, basically they are split .

I don't play with you anymore Loacker. Find someone else

I have a friend whose mother is Catalan (has lived in the States for decades but almost all of her extended family still lives in Spain) ) and apparently there is a huge rift between the various branches of the family. Most don't want independence but others are activists and they are not speaking to each other.



>>Weird janis can access your profile and you cannot???<<

Not weird at all -- anyone who is on Fodors can see his profile.

>>You can view any profile by clicking on the poster's name (in blue).<<

OR by clicking on your own name and then substituting Loacker's - easy peasy. I was just curious that's all. Knowing how political threads go I just assumed this one will go off track eventually.


LoackerReturns: If you want to be able to post from your other profile - have you forgot your password or something? If so, I think if you e-mail the editors they can re-set it for you.

from the t&c's
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