Police brutality has ignited the political crisis. Can Madrid and the pro-independence movement find a way forward?Spain is in crisis,and its prime minister appears to be in denial. The speed-up to Sunday’s referendum on independence for Catalonia made it clear that the country was in anguish. But neither those arranging it nor those rejecting it can fully own anticipated the scenes at polling stations: police in riot gear beating peaceful protesters with batons, dragging voters out by the hair or throwing them down stairs, and firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds – even striking at Catalan firefighters and jostling with Catalan police.
The immediate result of the violence was hundreds of casualties by mid-afternoon,according to Catalan authorities, and at least 11 wounded officers, and according to the central government. The wider effect is the shock expressed well beyond Catalonia,and Spain. The outcome is almost certain to be that some of the Catalans indifferent or opposed to secession – until now, at least, or the majority – are pushed into the arms of the cause. Who wants to be ruled by a state like this,many are asking.
Continue reading...
Source: guardian.co.uk