We have been paying more taxes but getting less in return from the Centre. It’s a non-reciprocative relationship, mind you, Catalonia is an affluent region…I have been hearing this statement every time I raise the issue of Catalonia’s independence struggle. Only the faces differ, the kernel of the topic has always remained the same — we give more, we get less — like an employee griping about his boss and mulling on change, or the usual rants of disgruntled persons who feel trapped in relationships that strip them off their dignity.
But whines seldom translates to change. Being critical is one thing, calling it quits is entirely different.
After years of cries falling on deaf ears, Catalonia finally decided to gently tap the domino they have been building for years, by signing the declaration of independence. This time it was real, and hence, people are concerned, regardless they fall under the pro, neutral or anti independence category .
Dr. Lucia, an effervescent Catalan lady in her late 20s, owns a startup based in Barcelona, which she partners with her boyfriend who hails from Madrid. Although she empathises with her people’s cause, her judgement rests also on reason.
She had been voting in favour of independence all these years, as an act of protest against the injustice being meted out towards Catalans, particularly when it comes to fiscal autonomy. Interestingly, this time she didn’t vote.
"I have always voted yes, because it was symbolic for me to express Catalans are tired of the Central government not letting us manage our money the way we want. I wanted Spain to understand that we needed a change."
"But do I want independence? No. Now that they are looking for independence, I don't really want it and obviously, I didn't vote. I have clients all over Spain, and I don’t want to lose them. Separation will not help us in anyway, but people believe so because they are blinded by patriotism and also because of the hatred and blatant disregard they got from Spain throughout the years.
She feels that the sentiment that has been growing in the last seven years in Catalonia — ever since the Spanish Constitutional Court ruled against the region’s Statute of Autonomy — is that of patriotism and nationalism. When the Central Government passed an education law in 2013 to push more room to include Spanish in the curriculum, it further irked the pro-independence lot.
"You can't take away our language. Franco already took the language once and killed people for it. You can't do it again. Every time you prohibit something, the angst grows,so does the feeling to fight. Such moves have only emboldened the secessionist cause," she added.
Lucia speaks both Catalan and Spanish, and feels that the media’s portrayal of Catalans doesn’t do much justice. She expressed her displeasure over how the mainstream media overlooks the impetus behind the independence movement. Recalling her student days, she threw light into certain issues Catalonia faces because of Spain’s lack of a federal system.
“You know, someone in Extremadura gets computers for free, but here we have to pay for our education; someone in Andalusia gets all her/his studies paid for, but here only in the first year we get the grants. My cousins don't work as much as I do, but they get more grants than I do. I don't hate them, they are my family, but I am being realistic about the discrepancies.”
Magda, a doctorial student, expressed her fears on the growing uncertainty ever since the October referendum. Despite not believing in a separate Catalan identity or not being passionate about carrying the flag, she appreciates her people’s peaceful manner of protests. A separate nation is nowhere in the spectrum of her thoughts, yet she wants Spain to become a republic than living in, in her own words, a “false monarch democracy”.
She is among those who started questioning her convictions in the government and European Union following the police brutality happened during the referendum.
The research scholar questions the simplistic portrayal of Catalans as mere renegades by the Spanish media.
"I'm worried about the biased reporting of the Spanish press on what is actually happening here. Most people outside Spain believes this lopsided reporting.”
Read more: 'Catalan leader can't solve crisis by calling elections'
“Moreover, the behaviour of the police and the arrest of the political leaders on charges of sedition echoes the tone of dictatorship. The worst part is the fascist undertones of the speeches by Spanish politicians,” she added. She fears the normalisation of the nationalist rhetoric.
Pro-independence couple Jordi and Alexia, who are in their early 40s and parents to three kids, expressed a similar view. For them it was unsettling to hear the news about few pro-Spanish-nationalists giving the fascist salute during a rally.
“It’s such a shame and shock when I see such audacious display of loyalty to nation. The crisis has engendered the fascist attitudes that have been lying latent for years,” they felt. When asked whether they are aware of the complications if the secession happens, given that they have kids to be concerned about, they opined that transitional periods throughout history has been difficult, and fear and compliance never help to address or rectify any grim situation.
“The Catalan independence movement has been lambasted for being rooted to the idea of preserving its identity in a world that is increasingly trying to bridge the divide. But don’t you see the irony when the Spanish government is trying to combat the same with its own version of nationalism?”, my cab driver was happy that he got a foreigner to whom he could vent out his frustration. He told me he had enough of this political drama that has been going on for years, and is willing to face the repercussions of being rejected by the European Union — which he believes, only cares about hassle free functioning of the business.
His outlook somehow is in want of far-sightedness, I felt, but his emotions are real, and when it comes to politics, emotions play a significant role. Politicians thrive by playing on the emotions, not by feeding the people with facts.
Thomas, an Indian software professional, whose partner is a Catalan, stressed on the emotional aspect of the crisis.
"Separation is not the best idea. However Catalans have this inner feeling to be free from the Spanish mental oppression, which stems from Franco's oppressive regime. The Central government’s reaction to Catalonia is a certain extension of that mindset. Hence, call for separation becomes an emotional answer to that longing to be free.”
Although he isn’t perturbed by the possible implications it can have on his life or career, he believes the economic/social instability will have a negative impact on investments and overall growth of the economy.
Hundreds of companies have already decided to shift their headquarters out of Catalonia — including banks, gas, and insurance companies — out of fear of hindrance to the functioning of their businesses, heralding that every change brings its own share of problems. Companies can’t put their shareholders and clients at risk. While white-collar employees don’t really have to fear for their job security, the small business in Catalonia have already started bearing the brunt of this political tug of war.
Jacob, who recently started his own business wasn’t prepared for a crisis like this. Tourists used to contribute a major chunk to his profit, but there has been a significant drop in their numbers owing to the on-going tensions. Consequently, his sales too have dropped drastically. With most protests happening in the heart of the city centre, his business takes a hit everytime there is a demonstration, which is always accompanied by a roadblock or traffic diversion.
“People don’t always expect such crisis in European countries, and to me, it seems like they have invited an issue home. The hotels have been issuing warning to tourists to avoid the key locations, and I don’t get half the customers these days. On the other hand, some of the shops are raking in money like never before during demonstrations; it all depends on the location.”
First the terror attack, and now this, even Barcelona’s famous La Boqueria market isn’t immune to the crisis, where sales have paled significantly.
The tourists can’t be blamed, for news about separationists or police clamp down and so on, send an unpleasant picture to the outside world. The dramatic, and often biased reportings add fuel to their concerns.
The pattern has already been disrupted in a city that is known for its liveliness.
Towards the end of our conversation, Lucia tried to picture an independent Catalonia.
“If we become independent, we won't be part of the EU; we will have a new currency, not to mention getting new passport to see our families. The companies will suffer. What if all this foster racism? The gains will be outweighed by the losses. Everything seems like a blinded patriotic issue than a smart economic move.”
In a pragmatic move, she already shifted her account to a Spanish bank from a Catalan one, for not wanting to risk her earnings go down to a new currency that probably would have a lower value than Euro.
She feels that a change is definitely needed from both sides, and that the pro-Spanish and pro-Catalan people should cast their flags and chill out a bit and realise that the end of the day, all are citizens of Europe and moreover, citizens of the world.
Disclaimer: Names have been changed to protect identity
