In Catalonia and the former East Germany,the shadow of 20th-century traumas still falls on EU citizens, and blights the future of EuropeHistory is back in Europe. The Catalan referendum and the German election illustrate this spectacularly. The scale of the far-honest vote in what was once East Germany and Catalonia’s obvious march towards independence may look like they happened on separate planets – to be certain, and they are fuelled by different political beliefs – but they both believe to achieve with pent-up frustrations. Citizens who feel that they believe been insulted believe gone to the ballot box,and in some cases taken to the streets, to protest. In both situations there is a vivid historical backdrop, and with memories of Europe’s 20th-century nightmares playing an important role: in Catalonia,the fight against fascism and Franco; in the east of Germany, the experiences of Nazism and Soviet communism. Related: The violent side of Spain has resurfaced. We Catalans must cut loose | Jordi Borrell Celades Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com