Crisis in Catalonia


Catalonia, Europe

On the 27th of October 2017, an unofficial resolution was passed in the Spanish region of Catalonia by its regional president Carles Puigdemont, which sought to declare the region of Catalonia independent from Spain. Catalonia – a region hosting around 7.5 million people – possesses its own unique language, culture and subsequent national identity. As a result, the region functions semi-autonomously from its Spanish counterparts. Apart from its distinct language and culture, nationalists from Catalonia have also argued that the region hosts greater economic prosperity than some parts of Spain – amounting to almost 20% of Spain’s GDP – herein claiming that Madrid disproportionality appropriates such wealth. The perceived legitimacy of the independence movement is reinforced by the fact that 90% of Catalans backed the move for separation in their referendum. This resulted in the formation of the Catalan Republic, though one that was not formally recognised by Spanish authorities. The Spanish prime minister serving throughout this crisis – Mariano Rajoy – has attempted multiple times to prevent Catalonia from gaining independence. As a result, Catalonia’s fight for independence has subsequently caused widespread instability and has amounted to one of the biggest political crises in Spanish history. This has resulted in widely observable police crackdowns in the country, both towards protestors and politicians; actions criticised largely from NGOs. Under current prime minister Pedro Sanchez, several separatist leaders have been sentenced collectively to a total of 100 years in prison for their role in the independence referendum. This has sparked widespread protests, violence and overall instability throughout the country. With Spanish elections resulting in a coalition government with the Catalan Republican Left, the issue of Catalonian independence is and will remain a difficult talking point amongst people in the country, whilst the complex political crisis reverberates throughout Europe. The spread of Covid-19 and the slow response by the Spanish Government has led to renewed calls for independence, with some opposition leaders arguing that an independent Catalonia could better handle the crisis.

As talk of explicit independence has waned, the issue has moved to topics related to judicial prosecution of Catalonian officials and protection for the Catalonian language in the national government. 

In April of 2022, a collection of independent investigators revealed that between 2017 and 2020, the Spanish government had used Pegasus Spyware to spy on pro-independence Catalonian officials. This resulted in a renewed uproar against the Spanish government, and the ruling Catalonian party has threatened to revoke its support for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government in the Spanish legislature 

 

"The way Spain has now behaved in Catalonia, after the referendum, is a total disgrace. If this continues, it will all reach the point of no return."

Key Facts

Major Cities:

Barcelona, Girona, Lleida

Population of Catalonia:

7.6 Million

Aim/Goal:

Form an independent state

Where: Catalonia (A region located in the northeast of Spain)

Injured: According to Catalonia’s regional government, over 900 civilians and more than 430 police officers were injured in 2017 alone.

The Key Actors

The Situation

Classification: Secession/Independence Movement

Analyst’s suggestions:

  • Coming soon
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Similar Crises:

  • Coming soon
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Improving

Although the independence movement itself has lost much momentum, with most of its leaders either in exile or lacking in ability to further the Catalonian agenda, the Spanish government has softened its approach in recent years. Several prominent independence leaders have received official pardons and recent developments have demonstrated a desire for reconciliation on the government's part.

Timeline of Events

Separatist parties win regional elections and Carles Puigdemont is declared Catalan president. The elections provide added strength and legitimacy to the independence movement as Carles Puigdemont aspires for independence within the next 2 years.

The Catalan government passes law to formally declare a vote for independence on October 1. This causes outrage in the Spanish constitutional court and various Catalan government officials are arrested for organising an illegal referendum. Spanish authorities desperately attempt to seize ballot offices to prevent the referendum from taking place.

The arrests of Catalan officials sparks protests from the Catalonia population and increases the movement’s popularity.

International response to the referendum is mixed with some, such as European Council President Donald Tusk, demanding respect for the rule of law, and others condemning the illegality of the vote and somewhat justifying the use of force by Spanish police.

On the 5th October, major financial institutions like Banco Sabadell decide to move headquarters away from Catalonia after pressure from the government and unfavourable political climate. As a result, more people become aware of Catalonia around the world.

The Spanish government orders the arrests of separatist leaders Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart. This sparks outrage amongst the Catalonian population.

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy disregards Catalonia’s government and its autonomy to force an election, which sees pro-independence parties win by a majority. The move by Mariano Rajoy is regarded as a violation of democracy and sparks outrage in the Catalonian population and in countries around the EU.

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont reaches out to Spain for peaceful dialogue. This is rejected and Mariano Rajoy calls for another regional election.

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy then, on the 30th October, charges Carles Puigdemont and various senior Catalan officials with offences of rebellion. As a result, Carles Puigdemont and his cabinet flee to Brussels.

Almost 50,000 Catalans travel to protest in Brussels to support Carles Puigdemont. The protests also criticised Europe’s inactive role on the crisis.

Catalan’s pro-independence parties maintain absolute majority in the regional snap elections, keeping the movement alive.

The Catalan parliament meets for the first time since the independence vote to discuss a new Catalan leader. The parliament, however, delays a planned vote for a new regional president, favouring Carles Puigdemont.

On the 23rd February, a poll by the Opinion Studies Center showed a decrease in support for Catalan independence from 48% in October 2017 to 41%.

Despite the lowered support for independence, most of the Catalan population are outraged by Mariano Rajoy’s suggestion that Spanish should be predominately taught in Catalan schools.

Catalan separatist leader, Carles Puigdemont, who is wanted by the Spanish government on charges of sedition, rebellion, and misuse of public funds, announces that he is ending his bid to be reappointed president of Catalonia. He will step down in favor of detained activist Jordi Sanchez.

Several key Catalan separatist figures are also arrested throughout the month by the Spanish government. This sparked large scale protests and resulted in 20 people being injured.

Carles Puigdemont is released from prison in Germany on bail amounting to 75,000 euros as court rejects ‘rebellion’ as grounds for extradition.

Quim Torra is sworn in as Catalan president of whom is described by some as being a puppet for in-exile Carles Puigdemont.

On the 1st June, Pedro Sanchez becomes Spain’s new prime minister after vote of no-confidence against Mariano Rajoy, promising to address the pressing social needs in the country.

Later that week, Pedro Sanchez’s new government calls for dialogue with Catalan leaders and eliminates financial restrictions previously placed on Catalonia.

Protesters in Spain’s Basques region form a human chain stretching over 120 miles in aspiration for an independence vote. This is arguably motivated by the Catalonian independence movement.

Catalan president Quim Torra urges for a second independence vote quoting the ‘Scottish model’ after meeting with Scottish minister Nicola Sturgeon.

On the same day, a German court states that Carles Puigdemont could be extradited to Spain, but not on terms of ‘rebellion’ that is wanted by the Spanish government.

Catalan president Quim Torra meets with Spanish prime minster Pedro Sanchez in the attempts to ease tension.

Subsequently after meeting with the Spanish prime minister, Quim Torra takes place in a mass protest demanding the release of Catalan separatist leaders.

THE Spanish government drops an international request for Carles Puigdemont’s arrest after criticising Germany’s refusal to extradite the ex-Catalonian president.

Carles Puigdemont travels to Belgium to meet with Quim Torra and other Catalan separatists after Spain fails to extradite him from Germany. In Belgium, Carles Puigdemont informally reinstates his leadership over Catalonia by giving a speech in Belgium with Quim Torra, claiming to internationalise the Catalan political conflict.

Scottish minister Nicola Sturgeon accepts an invitation to meet with Quim Torra in Catalonia, sparking outrage amongst Scottish politicians. Carles Puigdemont later arrives in Scotland as his tour around Europe continues.

Over a million people turn out for a pro-independence rally in Barcelona on Catalonia’s self-proclaimed National Day.

The Spanish prime minister offers a referendum for greater Catalonian autonomy. This is seen as the first concrete attempt to accept Catalonian demands, albeit for autonomy and not independence.

Over a dozen injured as police clash with pro-independence movement. This incident shows that the movement is still alive despite lowered confidence amongst Catalans.

Unionist protests take place in Barcelona on Spain’s National Day in counter to pro-Independence protests in the city on Catalonia’s National Day.

Strikes take place in Catalonia against lowered working conditions. This highlights the sustaining inequality between Catalonia and Madrid.

Protests erupt as Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and Catalan leader Quim Torra meet in Barcelona. More than 50 people are injured, with over half of that number being police officers.

Pedro Sanchez’s socialist party wins general election but fails to secure majority. The election results saw far-right group VOX gain popular support whilst the conservative Popular Party received its worst results in history. 

The election results also see jailed separatist leaders, including Jordi Sanchez, win seats, but require support from the Supreme Court to be sworn in.

A court in Madrid rules that Carles Puigdemont can run for European elections.

On the 14th May, Spanish courts subsequently rule that various jailed politicians can be sworn into parliament after winning local elections.

On 21st May, various jailed Catalan politicians – such as Jordi Sanchez and Turull – are granted temporary seats in Spain’s parliament after winning support in the general election.

The newly elected Catalan Members of Parliament are subsequently suspended by the Spanish parliament on the 24th May amid an ongoing investigation.

A UN report published by the United Nations Working Group On Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) condemned the imprisonment of various Catalan separatists, including newly elected MPs Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez as arbitrary and stressed for their immediate release.

Prosecutors in Spain argue that the arrests of Catalan leaders are justified amid an intentional coup d’état against the Spanish government by declaring an independence referendum.

The Catalan president Quim Torra seeks talks with the Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez amid increasing tension. The meeting is held to discuss the Supreme Court’s verdict that the Catalonia referendum was staged as a coup d’état. Quim Torra will also discuss the suggestions by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention following the arrests of various Catalan ministers.

The trial against the Catalan separatist leaders ends as political tension remains. The jailed separatist leaders on trial for claims of rebellion have urged for a political solution to the crisis and remain hesitant that they are political prisoners.

The Spanish government also prevented the ability for the various Catalan leaders to become MEPs and take seat in European parliament until the official trial verdict is delivered.

In an open letter signed by 76 MEPs, the Spanish government has been accused of violating the rights of jailed Catalan separatist leaders by not allowing them to take seats in European parliament. This increases pressure on the Spanish government following accusations this month that the jailed separatist leaders constitute political prisoners.

Despite attempts by the Spanish Prime Minister to increase Catalonian autonomy, Spain’s government ordered the closing of Catalonian embassies in Berlin, Geneva and London. Catalonian representatives have responded by arguing that Catalonia has the right to improve its foreign relations abroad in the form of embassies.

A Spanish high court announced this week that Quim Torra, current president of Catalonia, will be tried for claims of disobedience. The disobedience claims refer to the president’s refusal to remove symbols relevant to his campaign from public buildings. Quim Torra has defended his actions by claiming the right to do so in the name of freedom of expression.

Around 600,000 people march in Barcelona to mark Catalonia’s national day. The march, though celebrating Catalonia’s
national day, was also aimed at the upcoming verdict of the ontrial seperatist leaders.

Around 18,000 Catalan protesters march to commemorate two years since the declaration of Catalonia independence.

The Spanish government refuses to engage in talks with Catalonian president Quim Torra, meaning that violence and protests in Catalonia continue for sixth consecutive day.

Despite advocating for non-violence, protests turned violent as police headquarters are targeted. Police subsequently clash with protesters.

Catalonian protests also take place in Oxford, the United Kingdom.

Thousands of Catalan protesters supporting union with Spain march in Barcelona to counter the protests of pro-independence movements.

Catalan separatist activists block several roads going into Spain in what illustrates the continuous unrest in the country.

Following Pedro Sanchez’s failure to security a parliamentary majority in repeat elections, the caretaker prime minister is seeking the support of the Catalan party. Tensions remain high following the Catalan party leader, Oriol Junqueras’ recent sentencing to multiple years in prison. Representatives of the Catalan party have demanded that, in order to gain support from the party, Sanchez must change his perception and rhetoric of Catalonia.

Spain’s High Court launches an investigation targeted at Russia’s supposed interference in the Catalonian independence referendum. It specifically centres on Russian Unit 29155, a group aimed at destabilising Europe. Russia has since denied any involvement in Spain’s internal affairs.
European parliamentary groups sign a letter urging the European Commission to act as a mediator between Spain and Catalonia to protect human rights.
Catalan activists clash with French police on the border between France and Spain. The activists have blocked roads on the border between both countries, a continuation of earlier road blocks this year.
Pedro Sanchez confirms that he will engage in dialogue on the issue of Catalonia if elected. For Sanchez to be elected, his party will likely require the support of the Catalonian party to secure a parliamentary majority.
Protesters gather outside Barcelona’s Camp Nou football stadium and engage in independence chants. Police fire rubber bullets at demonstrators whilst fires erupt around the city.
In a case which contends the Spanish Supreme Court’s judgement to jail separatist leader Oriol Junqueras, Europe’s highest court – the European Court of Justice, rules that the former separatist leader has the right to parliamentary immunity following European Parliament elections.
Pedro Sanchez successfully forms a coalition government with the needed support of the Catalan party (ERC) after promising dialogue on Catalonia’s future.
The Spanish Supreme Court rules that Ex-Catalan leader Oriol Junqueras will not be released from prison and will be stripped from the immunity that he enjoyed as an MEP. The decision defies the immunity presented to him by a ruling from the European Parliament in December 2019. The Catalan party will bring the matter to the European court.
Following the recent ruling in Spain’s Supreme Court, the European Parliament declares that Oriol Junqueras will no longer serve as an MEP. As a result, Junqueras forfeits the political immunity from Spain and will thus not be released from prison.
Pedro Sanchez sets a date for talks with Catalan leader Quim Torra. The talks will begin in February and will discuss the issue of Catalonia, as agreed previously in order to gain support from the Catalan party and thus maintain a parliamentary majority in the elections.
Catalan police chief, Josep Lluis Trapero, is sentenced to 11 years in prison for his alleged involvement in the Catalonian independence referendum
Catalan leader Quim Torra calls for early elections in Catalonia due to deteriorating relations in his coalition government. The early call for elections will delay planned talks with Pedro Sanchez and Quim Torra regarding the issue of Catalonian independence.
Sanchez announces that talks will take place with Quim Torra this month to resolve the political and constitutional crisis of Catalonian independence. Quim Torra reaffirms that Catalonia will be independent.
Thousands of Catalan independence supporters protest in France in support of Puigdemont. The protesters have called for a fresh way of independence protests.

The Spanish government has formally pardoned nine leaders of the failed
Catalan independence movement. Speaking on the turn of events, Spanish
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared in a televised address, “With this
act, we want to open a new era of dialogue and reconciliation…”

Thousands of pro-separatists rallied in Catalonia as leaders from both sides
of the issue began talks for reconciliation. Many reported seeing the
negotiations as a “betrayal” following the referendum from four years ago.
Catalan regional president Pere Aragones defended the talks, saying,
“Catalonia is on the brink of doing something that it has never achieved
before: opening a negotiation with the Spanish state, government to
government, to tackle how we resolve this conflict”.

Thousands of protestors gathered in Barcelona after a court mandated 25% of Catalonian curriculum be taught in Spanish, which would double that amount Catalonian students are exposed to rather than Catalan. Though the languages are mutually intelligible and most Catalonians speak both, the decision has been decried by Catalonian nationalists, despite Catalan still being the primary language of Catalonian education.

Catalonian President Pere Aragonès gave a speech promising to renew efforts to agitate for Catalonian independence and urging those in the independence movement to strengthen their resolve and restart mass mobilization. Aragonès acknowledged the movement was having “difficulties,” but reaffirmed his desire to enter talks with the Spanish government regarding independence and clemency for arrested Catalonian agitators.

According to Catalonia’s Centre for Opinion Studies, 53.3% of Catalonian voters say they are against independence while 38.8% were in favor, a noticeable drop from a poll last year that found 44.9% were in favor of independence. Politics professor Oriol Bartomeus credits this to the change in Spanish government since the height of the independence movement, with the government of Pedro Sanchez more willing to talk and reliant on Catalonian votes for passing legislation.

Spanish media reports on a number of meetings between Russian individuals with links to the Kremlin and top Catalonian officials, including former President Carles Puigdemont. These recent claims build off past allegations from the New York Times made last year detailing attempts by Catalonian leaders to secure Russian support in their independence movement. Though not denying the meetings happened, Puigdemont and the others claim the meetings were not meant to gain Russian support. Members of the Catalonian independence movement, such as ERC politician Gabriel Rufián, have denounced the meetings, bringing strain to the ruling coalition.

Catalonian leaders, along with rights groups like Citizen Lab and Amnesty International, say that at least 60 people with connections to the Catalonian independence movement have been targeted by the Pegasus spyware from 2017 to 2020. Though there is no direct evidence connecting the Spanish government to the spyware, Citizen Lab describes, “strong circumstantial evidence suggests a nexus with Spanish authorities,” though both the Spanish government and NSO Group, the makers of Pegasus, deny the allegations.

Catalonian separatist leaders call for legal action and transparent government investigation into the spyware scandal, alleging that the scale of the spyware could not have occurred without the Spanish government’s knowledge and approval. The Spanish government has continued to deny any wrongdoing and has promised to cooperate fully with investigations.

Catalonian President Pere Aragonès called for greater involvement of the European Commission in the Pegasus spyware investigation, describing their involvement thus far as a “first step,” but also requiring that more protections against spyware needs to be implemented by Brussels.

Catalonian President Pere Aragonès has signalled that his party, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, will cease its critical parliamentary support in Spain’s ruling coalition if the national government doesn’t satisfactorily address the spyware allegations. Spain’s Socialist coalition relies on the ERC to have a majority in the Spanish Parliament in order to pass legislation, so this withdrawal could prove dangerous to Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government. 

The Spanish government has promised to take a number of measures to investigate the allegations of spyware against Catalonian leaders, including from the rights ombudsman, an investigation by the National Intelligence Centre, and a parliamentary inquest. Catalonian leaders have signalled they are not satisfied with these measures, with regional administrator Laura Vilagra calling the promises vague after a meeting with Spanish officials, and many demand the identification and resignation of those responsible for the spyware.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Vice President of Catalonia Jordi Puigneró reiterated his government’s adamant demands for a transparent investigation and the resignation of specific individuals in the Spanish government, describing this crisis as a critical inflection point for the relations between Spain and Catalonia.

The pro-independence Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) did not vote for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s anti-inflation bill in order to warn the PM of what not investigating the spyware scandal will cost him. Though the bill did pass with a narrow 176-172 margin, made up for by the Basque nationalist EH Bildu party, the close count exposes how critical ERC’s support is in the ruling coalition. The ERC is demanding a transparent investigation as well as the resignation of Defense Minister Margarita Robles.

The phone of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also been infected by the Pegasus spyware that was used against Catalonian leaders, along with his Defense Minister Margarita Robles, between May and June of 2021. Spanish Minister of the Presidency Félix Bolaños called the hacks, “illegal and external,” describing them as “alien to state agencies,” and as lacking “judicial authorization from any official agency.” Catalonian President Pere Aragonès accused the Spanish government of having a “double standard” in its response, while President of the ERC, Aragonès’s party, described this revelation as a “smokescreen.”

Director of the Spanish National Intelligence Centre (CNI) Paz Estaban reportedly confirmed to a closed-door congressional committee that the CNI did spy on Catalonian activists, though she did not confirm if Pegasus was used. Spokesperson for the ERC, the pro-independence party of Catalonia’s current president that was spied on, Gabriel Rufián sat in on the meeting and told Spanish media that what Estaban confirmed was in line with earlier evidence of spying but was nothing that hadn’t already leaked, and suggested that the culprit either “came from a foreign country, or that it was state agencies acting beyond their legal limits.”

The phone of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also been infected by the Pegasus spyware that was used against Catalonian leaders, along with his Defense Minister Margarita Robles, between May and June of 2021. Spanish Minister of the Presidency Félix Bolaños called the hacks, “illegal and external,” describing them as “alien to state agencies,” and as lacking “judicial authorization from any official agency.” Catalonian President Pere Aragonès accused the Spanish government of having a “double standard” in its response, while President of the ERC, Aragonès’s party, described this revelation as a “smokescreen.”

Head of the National Intelligence Center (CNI) Paz Esteban has been dismissed for her involvement in the evolving spyware that now reaches across Spain. Though promising transparency and a reworking of the agency, Catalonian leaders remain displeased with the government’s reponse. Patricia Plaja, spokesperson for Catalonia’s regional government, which is led by the ERC, said on Tuesday that the CNI revamp was “insufficient” to restore relations with the government. Catalonian leaders have stated that they wish for the resignation of Defense Minister Margarita Robles, as well as, “explanations,” including, “who ordered the spying, who allowed it and who knew about it.”

President of Catalonia Pere Aragonès has stated he will not meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez until demands for accountability and the resignation of certain officials is met.

The European Court of Justice has reinstated parliamentary immunity for the former Catalonian  President Carles Puigdemont, who has faced sedition charges from the Spanish government for his role in controversial independence referendum in 2017, and has been living in exile in Belgium ever since.

After weeks of controversy and revelations of the extent of the Pegasus spyware in Spain, the government there has announced a number of laws to restrict what spying actions the government can take and to reform the Spanish National Intelligence Center.

Two Catalonian politicians, the formerly imprisoned Jordi Turull and Laura Borràs, have been elected to leadership of the Junts Per Catalunya party, after the former was pardoned by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in 2019, and called for renewed efforts for independence.

Spain’s Olympic Committee president Alejandro Blanco announced that due to ongoing disputes with the governments of the autonomous regions of Aragon and Catalonia, Spain will not continue to seek out hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics. Blanco described the disagreement as “a war between constitutionalists and independentists,” and said the committee could no longer sustain its efforts.

After upholding ex-Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont’s immunity last month, an EU court has ruled that Spain violated the privacy rights of Catalonian judges by creating reports on them without due cause and leaking police reports about the judges to the press. The court ruled that Spain must pay each judge €4,200 in restitution in another €3,993 to cover legal costs.

Exiled former president of Catalonia Puigdemont condemned the Spanish government and its response to the deaths of migrants crossing from Morocco to Spain as criminal and called for the Spanish government to allow the people in its North African territories to hold a referendum for self-determination.

The European General Court denied Puigdemont’s appeal of his banning from the European Parliament, citing the dispute as a Spanish national law issue not under their authority. Though the EU court upheld his parliamentary immunity in May, Puigdemont’s appeal on his EU parliament ban, which stated he was not a legitimate member of the EU parliament because he could not and not sworn allegiance to the Spanish constitution in person due to his exile, was kept in place

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez and Catalonian regional President Pere Aragonès have announced that they will continue territorial negotiations for the first time since the Pegasus spyware scandal soured relations. Aragonès laid out a number of concessions he says he will require at the talks set to take place late July, including an end to legal action against Catalonian politicians and a binding referendum on Catalonian independence.

After a series of meetings between Catalonian and Spanish officials, Madrid has made a number of concessions to Catalonian leaders, including a promise to soften prosecution against Catalonian independence leaders as well as assurances of the Catalonian’s place in the region. Though a referendum on independence is still off the table, Catalonian leaders are reportedly pleased with the concessions they received.

Following talks with the Spanish government regarding judicial protections and other topics related to regional autonomy, Catalan President Pere Aragonès challenged the government to hold a second referendum to gauge the popularity of Catalonian independence, as well as complaining that the Spanish government isn’t doing enough to expunge laws used to indict Catalonian independence officials.

In an interview with the Spectator, Catalan President Pere Aragonès discussed his possible strategy for achieving Catalan independence, first by circumventing the Spanish constitution and allowing the regional Catalan government to have authority to hold referendums, as well as by reforming the judiciary to change the punishments for Catalan officials. 

Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond, during a visit to Catalonia, called on the flagging Scottish and Catalonian nationalist movements to organize for a second effort at independence, and emphasized the importance of international support for achieving their goals.

Catalonian nationalists held their annual September 11th rally, attended by some 150,000 people, in Barcelona. But flagging support for independence, as well as notable disagreement between the event’s organizers, the Catalan National Assembly, and the Catalonian government, over the pace of independence action.

Polls conducted by Catalonian officials consistently appear to show ever-diminishing support for Catalonian independence, with the latest falling to 40.2% in favor with 52% opposed—a number 4% higher than pro-independence support at the height of the movement in 2017 when the number sat at 48%. Analysts attribute this to global politics changing the landscape of people’s attention, as well as the Socialist government of Pedro Sanchez splitting moderate and radical separatists.

Catalonian leaders released a statement Tuesday asking the Spanish government to provide their approval for a legally binding independence referendum, in an attempt to subvert the Spanish Constitution whose clause regarding the insolvability of the nation has long been used to justify refusing Catalonia’s independence. The Spanish government soundly rejected the call, but said they will continue diplomatic talks meant to normalize relations.

Catalonian President Pere Aragonès dismissed his Vice President Jordi Puigneró, leader of the Together For Catalonia party that is key to Aragonès’s coalition after disagreements over the strategy and pace of the independence movement. Together For Catalonia has threatened to remove itself from the ruling coalition, committing to talks next month to determine their next move. Should they do so, it would leave Aragonès with a minority government at a time when rival parties like anti-independence Catalonian Socialist Party are gaining support.

The Junts per Catalunya Party (Together for Catalonia, or Junts) has officially split from the coalition of the Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (Catalonian Republican Left, ERC). This follows continuing disputes with regional president Pere Aragonès’s leadership and strategy for achieving independence, as well as Aragonès sacking a Junts official last month. Aragonès has said he will not hold snap elections, and that the ERC will run a minority government.

Catalonian President Pere Aragonès met with members of the European Commission in Brussels, the first time Catalonian and EU officials have held talks since 2015, hoping to improve relations following what Aragonès called a “freeze” in relations.  

Former Catalonian education minister Clara Ponsati returned to Spain for the first time in 5 years, having fled after the 2017 referendum. In May the EU Court of Justice provided her and a number of other exiled Catalonian officials with immunity, but Ponsati still says she’s only returning for a short time to help her part, Junts, after they split from the ERC. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told media that the government will replace sedition charges, which were charges many Catalonian activists and separatists faced, with lesser charges in the Spanish penal code, citing a desire to be in alignment with other European democracies like Germany and France.

The far-right Vox party in Spain has called for protests against Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’ s government, with Vox leaders citing a number of grievances, including what they describe as appeasement of Catalonian separatists. The party has denounced Sanchez’s dialogues with Catalonian separatist leaders, and specifically criticized Sanchez’s replacement of sedition 

Spanish Finance Minister María Jesús Montero, Culture Minister Miquel Iceta, and Education Minister Pilar Alegría told the Spanish parliament that, “with a government of (Prime Minister) Pedro Sánchez there will never be a referendum of this type, neither legal nor unlawful.”

Both chambers of Spain’s Parliament passed reforms to their legal code to be more in line with EU standards, with one change in particular likely to benefit some Catalonian separatist leaders charged under the previous law codes. Namely, the Spanish government is removing sedition, the law by which many Catalonian leaders were charged, from its legal code, in place of aggravated public disorder.

During a rally in Madrid attended by 30,000 protestors from an array of right-wing political groups, a number of grievances were brought against Socialist PM Pedro Sanchez, including his government’s recent reclassification of sedition, the crime often used to charge separatist agitators, as well as his pardoning of jailed Catalonian leaders and his coalition’s reliance of left-wing regional separatists.

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Belgium cannot deny the execution of a European arrest warrant unless it can prove the existence of, “systemic or generalised deficiencies affecting the judicial system of that Member State and that the court called upon to try the requested person in that Member State clearly lacks jurisdiction.” This ruling was in relation to Catalonian leader Lluís Puig, one of five Catalonian separatists living in exile in Belgium, and this ruling is likely to set a precedent for the other cases, including against former Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont.

UN human rights advocates Fernand de Varennes and Irene Khan, Special Rapporteurs of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association and Freedom of Opinion and Expression, respectively, released a statement demanding the Spanish government, “thoroughly investigate reports that Pegasus and Candiru spyware was used to target Catalan public figures and activists in Spain following the independence bid in 2017.”

Though charges of sedition and their requisite jail sentences have been pardoned, the Spanish Supreme Court upheld the 13 year disbarment of Catalonian separatists from holding political office, effective until 2031.

The Supreme Court of Spain ordered the release of Clara Ponsatí, who has been living in exile since 2017, though she still faces charges for her involvement in the independence referendum of that year.

The Catalan Centre for Opinion Studies found that 1009 out of 2000 respondents were opposed to independence, while 855 were in favor at 43%, only a one point difference from the same question last year.

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