Sánchez Should Offer Catalans a Federal Spain
If an independence referendum is too much to ask.
Analysis and commentary about the independence crisis in Catalonia by Nick Ottens (based in Barcelona) and Ainslie Noble (an expert in Basque and Catalan identity issues).
If an independence referendum is too much to ask.
Basque and Catalan parties win the crucial swing votes in Congress.
Conservatives would ban independence referendums and potentially end home rule.
Two years ago, Salvador Illa let his ego get in the way of a deal.
The right used an antiquated sedition law to persecute Catalan separatists.
The Spanish prime minister has exhausted their patience.
Republicans want to give talks with Pedro Sánchez a chance. Other separatists are skeptical.
“I didn’t break up with them. They broke up with me.”
Without their support, the prime minister would not have a majority in Congress.
Both are insecure.
A spying scandal shatters what little hope Catalan nationalists had of negotiating with Madrid.
The shift in public opinion suggests a way out of the decade-long dispute with Spain.
Spanish judges waste no opportunity to frustrate Catalan ambitions.
Reasonable independence parties need the support of separatist hardliners.
The best news is that talks are happening at all.