Events around the issue of Catalan independence are developing rapidly. Many are wondering whether it will be necessary to apply for visas at the Catalan consulate, if today a visa to Spain is required for a trip to Girona or Barcelona.
The Catalan parliament has decided to begin the process of secession from Spain. The Spanish government will appeal to the Constitutional Court to challenge this decision. However, it is likely that the Constitutional Court will not stop Artur Mas and his supporters from drafting the laws necessary to create an independent Catalan republic.
The decision to secede Catalonia was voted on by 72 members of parliament, 63 people voted against. The parliamentary resolution states that the Spanish Constitutional Court will no longer be recognized in Catalonia and its decisions will be ignored. Parliament set a 30-day deadline for the creation of three laws on the constitution of the new state, the social security system and the treasury. Separatist parties say that the drafting of laws will continue regardless of the decision of the Spanish Constitutional Court.
The Constitutional Court expects to suspend the decision made by the Catalan parliamentarians. If the autonomous authorities ignore this fact, it will be an unprecedented act of disobedience. The Spanish government and the kingdom’s legal system will have to decide how to deal with this.
Experts believe that if such a development were to occur, the Spanish central government would seek to identify specific individuals responsible. Carme Forcadell, the speaker of the Catalan parliament, would likely be the target of this strategy. There might be attempts to remove her from office. The fate of Artur Mas, who has already been accused of disobedience after the informal referendum a year ago, would also be of interest to the Spanish authorities.
The separatists are calling on the people of Catalonia to obey only the laws established by the local parliament, ignoring the demands of the central authorities. The population of the autonomous region is currently familiar with a list of laws that must continue to be observed, despite the fact that they were issued by the Spanish government. It is expected that measures will be taken to guarantee access to electricity, gas and water for the poor, as well as to abolish the three-month period during which foreign citizens cannot obtain a card entitling them to state health care.
Separatists are also calling for the latest changes to Spain’s education law to be ignored, with local authorities instead developing school curricula in Catalan.
The difficult political situation in Catalonia is expected to continue, and it is difficult to offer a clear forecast at this point. The decision to begin the process of gaining independence was made with a small majority of votes. In addition, regular statistical studies show that the opinion of the population of the autonomous region on this issue is divided. The European Union has already defined its position and leaves room only for a united Spain. Therefore, everyone interested in the latest events in this country is advised to vigilantly follow the news.
