Why catalonia wants to be independent

Until the birth of modern-day Spain in , Catalonia was an independent region in the Iberian Peninsula — now Spain and Portugal — with its own identity, laws and customs. Subsequent kings tried to impose Castilian Spanish and laws on the region, but gave up in and restored the national Catalan government, known as Generalitat.

But Catalan pro-independence parties have long been pushing for complete independence from the Spanish state. In an informal vote found that 80 percent of those living in the region were in favour of independence for Catalonia. Catalan politicians said the non-binding vote should pave the way for a formal referendum, sparking outrage from the central government in Madrid. Support for independence has grown over the past few years as Spain has endured a painful and protracted economic crisis.

A survey two months ago showed This month, after a heated session of the regional parliament, MPs passed the so-called referendum law to pave the way for the vote. The government insists the referendum will be legally binding and has promised to declare independence from Spain within 48 hours of a victory for the yes camp. The Spanish constitutional court, which has suspended the referendum law pushed through the Catalan parliament this month , is looking into whether the law breaches the constitution.

In March this year the former Catalan president Artur Mas was banned from holding public office for two years after being found guilty of disobeying the constitutional court by holding a symbolic independence referendum three years ago. Other, current members of the Catalan government are facing legal action over their roles in the push for independence.

Basically, yes. Pro-independence Catalan MPs nevertheless voted on 27 October to unilaterally declare independence from Spain in a session boycotted by dozens of opposition MPs. Three Catalan pro-independence parties won But the single biggest winner was the centre-right, pro-unionist Citizens party, which took 37 seats. Direct rule was lifted in June when the new Catalan government was sworn in. Puigdemont and three of his former cabinet ministers fled into self-imposed exile in Belgium before they could be arrested.

The Catalan independence movement has always been characterised by its peaceful nature. However, direct action — including the blocking of roads and railway lines — is expected from the so-called Committees for the Defence of the Republic. In late September, police in Barcelona arrested nine people associated with the CDR who were allegedly planning to sabotage Catalan infrastructure.

Seven of them have been remanded in custody and are accused of belonging to a terrorist organisation and possessing explosives. The independence movement, meanwhile, has lost momentum since the referendum. Whatever the supreme court verdict, any answers to the Catalan question are likely to remain as elusive as ever.