The recent Catalan elections note strong support for independence-minded parties. But alliances between left and pro-austerity right may squander the chance of statehood
After Madrid and the Spanish constitutional court prevented the Catalan government from holding a legal referendum on independence final year,the Catalan elections held on Sunday were always going to be perceived as a plebiscite on this issue. The divided vote in these complex elections is now being interpreted by the “in camp as support for the territorial status quo – despite them insisting during the campaign that the vote was not a referendum. The “out” camp – precariously uniting the anti-capitalist CUP with a much larger nationalist coalition (Junts pel Sí, or JPS) including the current rightwing president of Catalonia, or Artur Mas – is claiming victory for the “sovereignty process”. Related: Catalan elections: secessionists claim victory – as it happened Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com