Over Spain's Objections, Catalonia Plans Referendum On Independence
In sultry Barcelona, it was a unexpected gathering of bagpipes, tartan plaid, Scotch and even haggis — the traditional Scottish innards-and-oatmeal dish.
Spaniards turned out en masse to celebrate Scotland's referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.
"For one day, I would like to be Scottish," said Gabriel Herredero, 25, who wore a Scottish kilt out to a bar. "As Catalans, we would be proud also to be able to vote for something we really want."
Scots ultimately voted to remain part of the U.K., but the referendum nevertheless stirred hope for other separatist movements across Europe: Flemish speakers in Belgium, the island of Corsica in France, and both the Basques and Catalans in Spain.
With its own language and culture, Spain's northeast region of Catalonia — population 7.6 million — has long sought autonomy from Spain. Emboldened by Scotland, the region is planning its own independence vote in November. The Spanish government says that's illegal, and vows to block it at all costs.
Some 1.8 million protesters filled Barcelona's streets last week, demanding that Madrid give Catalonia the same right to vote that London granted Scotland.
"What happened in Scotland and in the United Kingdom is not a setback for us," Catalan President Artur Mas told reporters. "Because what we really want in Catalonia is to have the chance to vote, to have the same possibility."
Catalonia's regional parliament approved a new law on Friday granting Mas the power to declare a non-binding independence vote. Mas said he would sign the legislation and set a Nov. 9 date.
But Spain's constitutional court is likely to strike down Catalonia's plans as early as next week. Spanish law says the unity of Spain is indivisible, that referenda be called only by the central government, and that they be voted upon by all Spaniards, not just one region.
If the November vote goes ahead, Spanish police could be ordered to seize ballot boxes or block voters from entering polling stations. Catalan politicians, Mas chief among them, could be arrested.
Mas says he will not back down.
"If in Madrid they think that by using legal frameworks, they can stop the political will of the majority of the Catalan people, they are wrong! It's a big mistake," he said.
Polls show that a large majority of Catalans want to vote on their future status, though they are roughly divided — like Scotland — on whether to break away and form their own country in Europe.
As Scotland's results became known on Friday morning, Catalans began streaming into Barcelona's city center, rallying outside their regional parliament. "We will vote!" they yelled. "Independence!"
"We think that, independent of the result, the Scottish people have won, because they can vote. They can decide their future," said Carme Forcadell, head of a pro-independence group that helped organize last week's rally. "Why them and not us?"
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Transcript
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
Now that Scotland's voted to stay in the U.K., we turn to another separatist movement in Europe. The northeast Spanish region of Catalonia plans to hold its own independence vote in November, but the Spanish government is trying to stop it. From the Catalan capital Barcelona, Lauren Frayer reports.
LAUREN FRAYER, BYLINE: At a windswept castle overlooking Barcelona, tourists watch as Catalan troops ready their weapons.
(SOUNDBITE OF PATRIOTIC MUSIC)
FRAYER: The band strikes up a nationalist tune. Troops aim their cannons and muskets.
(SOUNDBITE OF WAR REENACTMENT)
ELOI MATEO: (Speaking Catalan).
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (Speaking Catalan).
MATEO: (Speaking Catalan).
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (Speaking Catalan).
MATEO: (Speaking Catalan).
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (Speaking Catalan).
MATEO: (Speaking Catalan).
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: (Speaking Catalan).
MATEO: Yeah, I don't have any ammunition. It's all...
FRAYER: This is not a real battle, though it once was.
MATEO: We are reenacting the Succession War.
FRAYER: Every weekend for tourists, Eloi Mateo and his troops reenact the moment in 1714 when Catalonia lost a war with Spain. It's been 300 years, but many Catalans say they still feel occupied by a foreign power.
MATEO: We had a language. We had laws. We had - all in Catalan, by the way. With the fall of Barcelona, we lost all we had. And we're reenacting that because we have to remember.
FRAYER: Emboldened by Scotland's peaceful referendum, many Catalans want to do more than remember. They want to vote on independence now, too.
(SOUNDBITE OF CHANTING)
FRAYER: As Scotland's results became known Friday morning, Catalans began streaming down town, rallying outside their regional parliament. Joan Molina was among them.
JOAN MOLINA: For sure, people cannot deny Catalan nation of our right of self-determination.
FRAYER: Inside, lawmakers approved rules for a November 9 vote, which would violate the Spanish Constitution says legal expert Xavier Arbos.
XAVIER ARBOS: The Spanish Constitution doesn't allow a referendum on self-determination. The Spanish Constitution establishes that the unity of Spain is indivisible.
FRAYER: Spain's constitutional court is likely to strike down Catalonia's referendum plans as early as next week. The Spanish government, determined to maintain the unity of Spain, says it will do whatever it takes to enforce the constitution. And Catalan President Artur Mas says he won't back down.
PRESIDENT ARTUR MAS: If in Madrid they think that only using the legal frameworks they can stop the political will of the maturity of the Catalan people, they are wrong. It's a big mistake.
FRAYER: Spanish police could conceivably be ordered to seize ballot boxes or prevent voters from entering polling stations. That could lead to a direct confrontation between campaigners for Catalan independence and the Spanish authorities. For NPR News, I'm Lauren Frayer in Barcelona. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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