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Catalonia crisis in 300 words Catalonia crisis in 300 words
(about 2 months later)
Catalonia's drive for independence has plunged Spain into its biggest political crisis for 40 years. It's a complicated dispute, so let's break it down. Catalonia's drive for independence has plunged Spain into its biggest political crisis for 40 years.
On 21 December pro-independence parties won a narrow majority in a Catalan election that Spain had called in the hope of ending the crisis. So independence remains a possibility.
What is Catalonia?What is Catalonia?
Catalonia is an autonomous region in north-east Spain with a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years. Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north-east Spain with a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years.
The wealthy region has about 7.5 million people, with their own language, parliament, flag and anthem. Catalonia also has its own police force and controls some of its public services.The wealthy region has about 7.5 million people, with their own language, parliament, flag and anthem. Catalonia also has its own police force and controls some of its public services.
Why the controversy?Why the controversy?
For many years Catalan nationalists have complained that their region sends too much money to poorer parts of Spain. Catalan nationalists have long complained that their region sends too much money to poorer parts of Spain, as taxes are controlled by Madrid.
Their budget and taxes are controlled by Madrid. They also say Spain's changes to their autonomous status in 2010 undermined Catalan identity.
They also say Spain's changes to their autonomous status in 2010 undermined their distinctive Catalan identity. In a referendum on 1 October, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, about 90% of Catalan voters backed independence. But turnout was only 43%.
In a referendum on 1 October, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, about 90% of Catalan voters had backed independence. But turnout was only 43%.
There were clashes when Spanish national police tried to prevent people voting.There were clashes when Spanish national police tried to prevent people voting.
The Catalan parliament then voted for independence on 27 October. At the same time Madrid moved to impose direct control by invoking Article 155 of the constitution - a first for Spain. The ruling separatists in the Catalan parliament then declared independence on 27 October.
What is Madrid doing? Angered by that, Madrid imposed direct rule by invoking Article 155 of the constitution - a first for Spain.
The Spanish government has fired the Catalan leaders, dissolved parliament and called regional elections for 21 December. The Spanish government sacked the Catalan leaders, dissolved parliament and called a snap regional election on 21 December.
Sacked Catalan President Carles Puigdemont remains defiant and has urged civil servants to disobey Madrid. Catalan President Carles Puigdemont fled to Belgium but is wanted in Spain accused of rebellion, as are four who fled with him. Two of his ex-ministers are in prison in Spain.
Why does the crisis matter?Why does the crisis matter?
The crisis does not look set to degenerate into armed conflict, but it could damage the region and Spain as a whole economically, bringing new instability to the eurozone. Thousands of businesses have scaled down their operations in Catalonia.
It is being watched nervously by other countries with secessionist movements in Europe. The crisis is being watched nervously by other European states with strong nationalist movements.
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Want to know more?Want to know more?