The Catalan president has declared independence from Spain, but the government in Madrid has ruled the move illegal.
On October 1, Catalonia held a referendum over whether the region should secede from Spain. According to regional authorities, of independence, but only 42% of eligible voters cast their ballot. Nine days later, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont issued a symbolic .
As per of the Spanish Constitution, if Catalans attempt to declare independence, Madrid is allowed to suspend Catalonia鈥檚 government and assume the position of running the autonomous region. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has acted on behalf of this article and given the Catalan government until the independence bid.
鈥淰oting is a part of democracy, but a vote against democracy or outside a democracy is not democracy,鈥� . 鈥淭he farce that took place 鈥� was not democracy. It was an exercise against democracy.鈥�
Observers are skeptical over the results of the referendum due to the low turnout. Those who are ardent supporters of remaining part of Spain have been referred to as the . But since the Catalan government signed off on secession, the opposition have begun to speak up. Just a week after the referendum, more than gathered in Barcelona to show their support for a unified nation of Spain.
The European Union also of Catalonia and Spain. Officials such as have spoken out directly against Puigdemont鈥檚 efforts and declared their support for Rajoy.
The referendum and the ensuing political disarray have caused many Catalonians to lose trust in the government as their schools and streets turn to chaos.
The views expressed in this article are the author鈥檚 own and do not necessarily reflect 51吃瓜鈥檚 editorial policy.
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