Catalonia is a wealthy region in the northeast part of Spain. It is one of the 17 provinces in Spain and has its own regional government which means that it already has considerable power over health care, education and tax collection. Many Catalans see Catalonia as an own nation with their own history, culture and language. The Catalan nationalists believe that it is unfair that they subsidize other parts of Spain, which is why they want to become independent. Therefore Catalonia’s separatist government planned a referendum on October 1, despite the country’s highest court banning the vote and saying that it is unconstitutional.
On the day of the vote national authorities seized ballot papers, voter lists and campaign material and the police prevented people from voting, raiding polling stations, firing rubber bullets and beating voters with batons. More than 800 people were injured, 13 of them were police officers.
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Questions:
- Do you think that the Spanish government should allow Catalonia to become independent? Or do you think that they should try to unify the nation?
- If you were a Catalan, would you want to become independent too? Why or why not?
My answers:
- I am really undecided because on the one hand I think that the Catalans should have the right to become independent if they want to, but on the other hand I can also understand that the government wants Catalonia to stay a part of Spain like many other Spanish citizens who want the country to be united.
- If I was a Catalan, I guess I would not want to become independent because I believe that the nation is stronger together. There are also many Spanish people that see Catalonia as a part of their country and want them to stay. I couldn’t picture Spain without Catalonia, for me it just belongs to Spain.
Replies
Super job Clara!
I think that the Spanish government should allow them their independence because otherwise they will fight for it and it might turn out like the Civil War. I would want to become independent because the way they are explaining it already makes it seem as if they are.
1. In my opinion Catalunya, can vote if they want, but no just Catalunya, all Spain needs the option of vote, Spain is a free country, so if they want the Independence, and is a democratic decision, Spain should accept that, but, I think that this is something that never it's going to happens, becuase the 50% of Catalans, don't want the independence.
2.
No, I would not like to be independent, because if we achieve independence, we would have many economic problems, because we would not belong to the European Union, and a great crisis would fall on us, moreover, spain will not help us, and we will have problems in the government.
I think it could be beneficial towards the people who feel strongly in favor however if they don't allow this and instead unify the nation there would be more peace.
I would just want to be at peace because you don't have to separate to keep values strong and traditions alive.
I like what you said. That they don't have to be separate to keep their traditions, and they can also keep their language and anthem. And I think that peace is the most important thing, that we should want to achieve.
I don't think so. It's 2017 we should be beyond civil wars and wanting to become independent. I believe that they did the right thing in trying stop Catalonia from being extra and wanting to be their own country. If I were a Catalan I wouldn't know because I think they're just being boujee.
Oh yes, that's definitely true what you said. We should be beyond civil wars, and should be pleased with what we have without being greedy. But I can still understand them.
The Catalans have the right to be independent if the citizens are in agreement. I think unifying the nation would be right because the vote is unconstitutional. Although, reacting with brute force was completely wrong. If I was a Catalan, I would most likely want to be independent because of the police/government official brutality.
Yes, the way they reacted was definitely wrong! And I also think that unifying the nation would be the best solution although maybe some Catalans wouldn't want to.
I think that Catalonia should become their own country especially because they have their own language apart from Spain! It sounds like Catalonia has been acting like a separate country for some time now and Spain just wants their tax money. I would want independence from Spain if I was a Catalan because I speak my own language and am separate from Spain!
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