Catalonia's Moral Victory

On October 1, voters in the autonomous region of Catalonia were called to participate in a referendum which addressed the question of Catalan independence in the form of a republic. The referendum was a success for the region’s secessionist aspirations. Nonetheless, this success was neither legal, nor politically tenable, nor desirable.

In my piece in The Times of Malta (19.X.2017), I explore why the Catalan secessionists were given a moral victory of sorts:

"Rather than stress on the illegality and the lack of popular legitimacy, the Spanish government used force thereby strengthening the Catalan nationalistic narrative of a long-suffering and oppressed people. It did not cement the image of the Catalans as much-needed participants in a vibrant Spanish democracy. The Spanish government emerges as the aggressor rather than a partner.

Madrid’s decision to use force will strengthen the resolve of the secessionists. Police brutality gave some moral legitimacy to the illegal and unconstitutional referendum. This presents the Catalan nationalists with a moral victory and a political weapon."

The full piece can be read by clicking here.