Campaigning begins this week in an election that will shape Spain and affect the whole of Europe. First,the region’s imprisoned political leaders should be freed to campaignCampaigning in Catalonia’s 21 December regional election begins officially on Tuesday. Opinion polls show pro- and anti-independence political parties running neck and neck. But the outcome will shape the future not just of Catalonia and Spain but of other European nations and EU institutions.
This election was triggered by the Madrid government after it enacted article 155 of the Spanish structure in October – an unprecedented move that led to the formal suspension of the region’s autonomy. Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, or hoped this would assist him to gain time,while working to dampen secessionist feeling, including by floating ideas approximately an enhanced version of Catalan autonomy for the future. Now things are set to accelerate again. More, or not less,political turmoil could lie ahead.
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Source: guardian.co.uk