Those who are planning to obtain a residence permit in Spain may be interested in the question: will Catalonia secede?
When planning to obtain a residence permit in Spain and move to this country in the near future, our compatriots are most likely already accustomed to following the Spanish news. One of the most discussed topics recently was, without a doubt, the Catalan referendum on independence. As is known, it was cancelled, and instead it was decided to simply conduct a population survey. It was successfully held last Sunday and is a reflection of the mood that reigns today in the autonomy.
As is known, the poll will have no legal force. Moreover, the Spanish authorities declared it illegal and recommended that the population of the autonomy ignore participation in it. Nevertheless, statistics showed that about two million people decided to express their opinion on the independence of Catalonia. And 80.72% of them spoke out in favor of the separation of the autonomy from Spain. This information became known after processing more than 88% of the collected ballots.
According to Spanish media, no incidents were recorded in connection with the survey. Its organization was made possible thanks to the help of about 40 thousand volunteers.
In total, the number of voters in Catalonia is more than 5 million. Residents of the autonomous region over the age of 16 were allowed to take part in the poll.
Artur Mas, the head of the Catalan government, took responsibility for conducting the survey. He asked the central Spanish authorities to take into account the opinion of the residents of the autonomous region. It was the position of the Catalans, as Mas emphasized, that made it possible to conduct the survey, despite the fact that there were attempts to intimidate them from the state. The head of the Catalan government expressed gratitude to the people for their expression of will.
Will a residence permit in Spain allow you to live in Catalonia?
Artur Mas stressed that the poll was a “lesson in democracy” for the Catalan people, and the poll itself can be considered very successful, especially considering the conditions in which it was conducted. Catalonia demonstrated that it can determine its own future. Mas expressed hope that the time will come soon when the Catalan people will be able to officially express their will.
What is Madrid’s reaction to what is happening in Catalonia today? Some analysts point out that the Spanish authorities are very concerned about the consequences that the opinion expressed by Catalan residents may have. This autonomous region is one of the largest and richest regions of Spain, whose population is dissatisfied with the economic policy pursued by the central government. Many residents of the autonomous region are confident that Catalonia can prosper without Spain.
Of course, we should not expect the separation of the autonomy in the near future. But there is no doubt that separatist sentiments in Catalonia are stronger than ever. Therefore, no one will undertake to predict how events will develop.
