Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyThird time lucky ? If so, it will end like the two previous ones. In disorder and disgrace, the President having resigned in disgust.. Then the Army will have to step in to sort things out. Again.

Spain is on its way to becoming a Republic.

Richard PearsonBack in 92 I managed a transition project up in Pamplona for a USA automotive group. Without exception the guys up there were seriously independent and referring to them as Spanish could be hazardous to health. Great part of the world though.

David HollandI think you will find that both Madrid and the Basque Country are wealthier than Cataluña, and that Madrid contributes more to the Spanish economy. Barcelona relies hugely on its exports to the rest of Spain. Would these continue at the same pace if the rupture was not amicable ? France makes a lot of the same stuff. Also, would foreign companies, not to mention Spanish ones, remain there after the separation ? Also it’s taxes would have to be increased to cover the additional costs that presently come out of the national debt. Speaking personally, I would be in favour of a separation. Cataluña has, for centuries, been a thorn in the side of the Kingdom of Spain, and has been a trouble maker and many times (like now) a deciding role in Spain’s national politics ever since 1976, and many would say a long time before that date as well.

Richard PearsonThe informal Catalan referendum did show support for independence but as you say in a real deal corks may not pop. The fundamental difference is that Scotland is dependent on England economically and runs a massive internal deficit. Catalonia is the wealthiest part of Spain and runs a surplus.

Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyNot surprising if you take note of their proposed company taxes for foreign investors, not to mention the abusive income, wealth, patrimony and social taxes. If it weren’t for the EU, Spain would be in a worse financial state than Argentina, and that’s saying something.

The Bank of America shows Spain as having the lowest level of inward investment on their latest published listing. Not good.

David HollandIf an officially sanctioned referendum did take place in Cataluña (armed forces permitting), I have my doubts that the Catalan nationalists would garner sufficient votes to win. I think the final result will be very much like Scotland’s, thanks but no thanks. In twenty years time or maybe even less, the outcome could be entirely different due to the non native Spaniards holding the balance of power and being promised everything they could ever imagine if they voted to help make Cataluña an independent country. Thankfully I won’t be around when, in 40 years time, or again, even less, they will be in power and will control power. Of course the nationalists are too short sighted to even consider that this could ever occur. Bona sort a tots i a totes

Jules OLooks like a independent Catalonia.

Charles Dalrymple-ChumleySánchez, and the PSOE socialist party have just committed the largest corruption case ever known in Spain’s history. Even larger than the previous one (caso ERE) committed in Andalucía by the same party. They have just” purchased” 7 votes for the princely sum of 15.000 million euros, and their MP’s widely cheered and applauded this theft from the public purse. Woe to your local mayor if he or she attempted the same thing with, let’s say, only 1.000 euros, especially if they weren’t socialist ones. A prominent member of the last socialist government once proclaimed that “public money doesn’t belong to anyone”. She was right on this occasion.