Catalonia: What Next?

The election seems to have resolved nothing and it is much too early to draw any conclusions. But a few observations might be helpful.

Unlike the referendum, which was illegal and supported by less than half the electorate, the general election was official and the turnout well over 80%. This gives the poll strong democratic legitimacy. Unfortunately the result was not clear cut, although in many ways clear. The anti-independence party is the largest, but far short of a majority. The pro independence parties have a majority, but are not united in their approach to eventual independence. It is clear that the Puigdemont policy of calling a referendum and then declaring independence was a disaster. But so was the Spanish government’s response to it. Yet it is also clear that because of political pressures, neither had much option but to act as they did.

What is needed now are cool heads and common sense. Madrid has to accept that Catalonia’s aspirations cannot be brushed aside or silenced by repressive interpretation of the Spanish constitution, but the Catalans must take on board that for independence to work, it has to be legitimate and internationally recognised. That will require the backing of Spain as a whole.

So there much work to be done and many yawning gaps to bridge.