This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/17/catalan-catalonia-catalunya-independence-referendum
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| ‘If No wins the Catalan referendum we’ll shut up, if it’s Yes the conflict will continue‘ | ‘If No wins the Catalan referendum we’ll shut up, if it’s Yes the conflict will continue‘ |
| (4 months later) | |
| Five local people explain how they will be voting | |
| Stephen Burgen | |
| Sun 17 Sep 2017 00.05 BST | |
| Last modified on Sat 2 Dec 2017 02.43 GMT | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| View more sharing options | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Close | |
| ROSA MARCúS, 53 | ROSA MARCúS, 53 |
| Secondary school teacher Sitges | Secondary school teacher Sitges |
| I will vote Yes because in an independent Catalonia we will have to take responsibility for what we do, including our mistakes, without always blaming Spain. We are an adult society. For a long time now Spain and Catalonia haven’t had a common project. It’s like a marriage where you only stay together because of the mortgage. Spain doesn’t invest in Catalonia, and a lot of the money wasted on high-speed trains that go from nowhere to nowhere, or on corruption, comes from here. I hope that we can all, whether Yes or No, get to vote, then we’ll see what happens. | I will vote Yes because in an independent Catalonia we will have to take responsibility for what we do, including our mistakes, without always blaming Spain. We are an adult society. For a long time now Spain and Catalonia haven’t had a common project. It’s like a marriage where you only stay together because of the mortgage. Spain doesn’t invest in Catalonia, and a lot of the money wasted on high-speed trains that go from nowhere to nowhere, or on corruption, comes from here. I hope that we can all, whether Yes or No, get to vote, then we’ll see what happens. |
| MARTA CASADO FELIU, 19 | MARTA CASADO FELIU, 19 |
| Studying to be an interpreter | Studying to be an interpreter |
| Barcelona | Barcelona |
| Although it’s the first time I’ll be able to vote I have my doubts about doing so. The majority of Catalans want a referendum, but this one is illegal. Furthermore, although the secessionists have a majority in parliament they represent only 47.8% of the popular vote and they appear to be acting alone on behalf of less than half the population. I don’t see how this referendum can serve as the base for a unilateral declaration of independence and doubt it would get international recognition. Both the Catalan and Spanish governments use the issue to distract attention from corruption and cuts in health and education. I hope one day we can vote in a proper referendum. | Although it’s the first time I’ll be able to vote I have my doubts about doing so. The majority of Catalans want a referendum, but this one is illegal. Furthermore, although the secessionists have a majority in parliament they represent only 47.8% of the popular vote and they appear to be acting alone on behalf of less than half the population. I don’t see how this referendum can serve as the base for a unilateral declaration of independence and doubt it would get international recognition. Both the Catalan and Spanish governments use the issue to distract attention from corruption and cuts in health and education. I hope one day we can vote in a proper referendum. |
| MARTí PONT ROJAS, 19 | MARTí PONT ROJAS, 19 |
| Science student | Science student |
| Barcelona | Barcelona |
| I will vote because I think Spain needs a wake-up call. If they keep treating us the way they do, attacking people, our language and our culture, Catalonia and Spain will never be united. I will vote Yes even though with Podemos it’s possible to believe in a less conservative Spain. But first the old guard has to go before young people can believe the system is capable of bringing about change. Depending on the result, I think this referendum is a basis for declaring independence. If No wins, we’ll shut up, but if it’s Yes, the conflict will continue. | I will vote because I think Spain needs a wake-up call. If they keep treating us the way they do, attacking people, our language and our culture, Catalonia and Spain will never be united. I will vote Yes even though with Podemos it’s possible to believe in a less conservative Spain. But first the old guard has to go before young people can believe the system is capable of bringing about change. Depending on the result, I think this referendum is a basis for declaring independence. If No wins, we’ll shut up, but if it’s Yes, the conflict will continue. |
| MERCè VILARRUBIAS, 53 | MERCè VILARRUBIAS, 53 |
| English teacher | English teacher |
| Barcelona | Barcelona |
| I won’t be voting. I think that right now the priority has to be to re-establish the law. The Catalan government has passed two laws that supplant the Spanish constitution and the statutes that give Catalonia its autonomy. I think this situation with two opposing sets of laws is very dangerous, and that the state needs to take control, otherwise the Catalan government will choose the laws it likes. But the government has managed the crisis very badly, refusing to talk and acting with great disdain towards the Catalans, but I would support it in trying to re-establish the rule of law. After that, I hope we can find politicians who are up to the job. | I won’t be voting. I think that right now the priority has to be to re-establish the law. The Catalan government has passed two laws that supplant the Spanish constitution and the statutes that give Catalonia its autonomy. I think this situation with two opposing sets of laws is very dangerous, and that the state needs to take control, otherwise the Catalan government will choose the laws it likes. But the government has managed the crisis very badly, refusing to talk and acting with great disdain towards the Catalans, but I would support it in trying to re-establish the rule of law. After that, I hope we can find politicians who are up to the job. |
| SERGI MONFORT CLARAMUNT, 23 | SERGI MONFORT CLARAMUNT, 23 |
| Forestry management student | Forestry management student |
| El Vendrell | El Vendrell |
| I will vote Yes, even though the referendum lacks certain guarantees, because I believe it’s a democratic right and that Catalonia needs a change for the better. For that to happen we need to become independent. Spain and the international community need to listen to the Catalans’ voice and opinions and accept their decisions. I don’t think that at an international level they will have any choice other than to accept the result. Things here are going to change after 1 October. We will begin a process of separation and the establishment of a new state. | I will vote Yes, even though the referendum lacks certain guarantees, because I believe it’s a democratic right and that Catalonia needs a change for the better. For that to happen we need to become independent. Spain and the international community need to listen to the Catalans’ voice and opinions and accept their decisions. I don’t think that at an international level they will have any choice other than to accept the result. Things here are going to change after 1 October. We will begin a process of separation and the establishment of a new state. |
| Catalonia | |
| The Observer | |
| Spain | |
| Europe | |
| Share on Facebook | |
| Share on Twitter | |
| Share via Email | |
| Share on LinkedIn | |
| Share on Pinterest | |
| Share on Google+ | |
| Share on WhatsApp | |
| Share on Messenger | |
| Reuse this content |