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Secession or solidarity: Catalonia will not get both simultaneously
Sezession oder Solidarität: Beides zusammen wird Katalonien nicht bekommen
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Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik -SWP- Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit
Abstract Since the arrest of the former head of the Catalan government, Carles Puigdemont, a solidarity movement has emerged that paints him as a victim of the justice system. However, even if the German government prevents his extradition this is hardly likely to influence the trials against his colleagues ... view more
Since the arrest of the former head of the Catalan government, Carles Puigdemont, a solidarity movement has emerged that paints him as a victim of the justice system. However, even if the German government prevents his extradition this is hardly likely to influence the trials against his colleagues remanded in custody in Madrid. The Spanish public prosecutor’s office accuses them not only of rebellion, but also of embezzling money from the autonomous communities’ liquidity fund (FLA) for their independence campaign. Since the 2012 financial crisis, Madrid has had to subsidise heavily indebted regions, including Catalonia, with loans. Barcelona annually receives between 6.7 billion (2012) and 11.1 billion euros (2015). This financial dependence motivates Catalans to bid for independence, in the expectation that it will lead to direct access to the European Central Bank (ECB). Europeans need to reflect on who should be given their solidarity. A Catalan state would be born with a mountain of debt, which the other Spanish regions and the European taxpayer would ultimately have to shoulder. (author's abstract)... view less
Keywords
Spain; indebtedness; public budget; separatism; secession; fiscal policy; self-administration
Classification
Political System, Constitution, Government
Free Keywords
Öffentliche Schuldenpolitik; Cataluña; Verhältnis Zentralregierung - Region; Autonomiebewegung
Document language
English
Publication Year
2018
City
Berlin
Page/Pages
8 p.
Series
SWP Comment, 22/2018
ISSN
1861-1761
Status
Published Version; reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications