In a clear 70 in favor, 10 against vote, the Catalan regional parliament agreed to declare independence from Spain, just as the Spanish parliament voted to approve direct rule over the rebellious region.
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Live footage of Catalan independence celebrations from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Barcelona?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Barcelona</a>'s Parc de la Ciutadella. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Catalonia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Catalonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/D4HXUsgFq9">pic.twitter.com/D4HXUsgFq9</a></p>— Fuad Alakbarov (@DrAlakbarov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrAlakbarov/status/923912347005210624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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It is now anyone’s guess as to what will happen next, but it is clear that neither side is willing to blink first at this point.
Although the Catalan parliament’s declaration was in effect a symbolic gesture (Spain nor the international community will accept it), this moves takes Spain’s worst political crisis ever to a whole new level.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy immediately called for calm and said the rule of law would be restored. It is anyone’s guess whether he still has control of the police forces in the region or whether he will now need to send in additional troops (just as he did during the illegal independence referendum a few weeks ago).
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Catalan Parliament votes for independence from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Spain?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Spain</a>. MPS sing "Els Segador" as results are announced. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Catalonia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Catalonia</a> <a href="https://t.co/osvX8HcwJx">pic.twitter.com/osvX8HcwJx</a></p>— Turexit (@TurexitEU) <a href="https://twitter.com/TurexitEU/status/923907410007396357?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Catalonia declared it wanted to open talks with the government in Madrid in order to peacefully set up a new republic.
Ms Marta Rovira of the Junts pel Si pro-independence alliance “It is not going to be easy, it is not going to be free, it is not going to change in a day. But there is no alternative to a process towards the Catalan Republic.”
The instigator of the revolt, Catalan leader Mr Carles Puigdemont was chanted as he left the parliament whilst his supporters called him “President!”.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy commented: “Exceptional measures should only be adopted when no other remedy is possible. In my opinion there is no alternative. The only thing that can be done and should be done is to accept and comply with the law.”
“We are facing a challenge unprecedented in our recent history.”
These actions by both Catalonia and Spain are clearly setting up a showdown which will unfold over the next few days.
As always, we here at the Goldwater will keep you updated.
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A sad day for Europe