Media advisory: Expert discusses Catalonia independence movement in Spain


Wed, 11/12/2014

author

Christine Metz Howard

LAWRENCE — On Sunday, 81 percent of the more than 2 million Catalans voted in a non-binding referendum for independence from Spain. Leaders of the independence movement hope it is a prelude to a full secession.

Luis Corteguera, a University of Kansas professor of history who studies Spain, is available to speak about issues related to the Catalonian movement.

Q: What is the significance of Catalonia’s push for independence from Spain both historically and now?

Corteguera: Catalonia has had a long and complex relationship to Spain. Since the late 1400s, it has formed part of the Spanish monarchy, but it has also retained its own distinct national and cultural identity. The recent economic crisis and several controversial policies of the current conservative Spanish government have fueled a growing demand for Catalonia to be recognized as its own nation-state.

Q: What is the historical context of this sentiment for independence?

Corteguera: As in the case of the Basques and Gallegos, who live in the northwestern tip of the Iberian peninsula, Catalans retained their own language, distinct customs and local institutions even after they became part of the Spanish monarchy. For some Catalans, Spanish governments have tried to undermine Catalans' distinct identity by, among other things, restricting the public use of the Catalan language and local autonomy. More recently, the breakup of countries such as the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia has raised questions about whether Catalonia, too, should break away.

Q: Despite overwhelming support on Sunday from Catalans for independence, the vote was symbolic. What is the next step? What hurdles does the independence movement face?

Corteguera: The vote on Sunday does not provide a clear path forward. The current coalition government in Catalonia, which feels emboldened by the results of the vote, is trying to build overwhelming political support to pressure the government in Madrid to make political concessions, but the conservative Spanish government has little to gain from making any concessions. The Spanish socialists are calling for a reform of the Spanish constitution to grant additional regional autonomy, although previous reforms approved in a 2006 plebiscite in Catalonia were declared unconstitutional by the Spanish constitutional court — a rejection that fueled the current Catalan independence movement. It seems doubtful there will be a major change before the next Spanish elections in late 2015.

To speak with Corteguera, contact Christine Metz Howard, KU News Service, at 785-864-8852 or at cmetzhoward@ku.edu.

Wed, 11/12/2014

author

Christine Metz Howard

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Christine Metz Howard

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