Catalan nationalism

The leaders of Catalonia say they’re ready to secede from Spain if they win an independence referendum this September. But even if Catalans vote yes, the Spanish government is dead set against any breakup.

Hundreds of thousands of Catalan nationalists and their supporters rallied in the streets of Barcelona Thursday to celebrate the vote for independence from Spain they have organized in November. But unlike in Britain, which supports the Scottish referendum, the vote in Catalonia is opposed by Spain. In fact, Madrid says it won’t take place.

Spain’s Catalonia region went big for independence in this weekend’s elections. But, across the border in France, the Catalans are a bit more laid back. While they celebrate their heritage, they consider themselves French first, a Catalonian second.

Spain’s Catalonia region, in the northeast part of the country, wants its independence. It’s been a goal of many for a while, but with Spain’s economy continuing to languish, discord has broken out in visible ways, manifested Tuesday in a march that according to some drew as many as a million people.

Spain’s northeast region of Catalonia holds elections Sunday. Its regional president, Artur Mas, says if he wins a majority, he’ll hold a referendum on independence from Spain.