Divorce, the European way

[luzribeiro]

In September there'll be an independence referendum in Scotland. And a couple of months later, another one in Catalunya. Secessionist movements are usually full of emotion and a desire for self-determination, but they're mainly driven by economic motivations - as is exactly the case with Catalunya and Scotland.

It seems the more prosperous regions

Comments

[johnny9fingers]

Sh!...you can't go giving us a good name.

[luzribeiro]

Btw, any chance that Wales might like Scotland's example and follow suit, effectively rendering the United Kingdom extinct?

[johnny9fingers]

Not impossible, but unlikely.

The Scots may still yet opt for the Union.

The Union and the British Empire were essentially Anglo-Scottish ventures after the failure of the Darien project. It may be the right time for the Scots to go it alone again, but that's up to them. Observable Welsh Nationalism has lessened since the days of burning cottages and the sons of glndwr, or whatever they were called. But who knows? If the Scots go then that may provide them with the necessary impetus.

I live in the city-state of London. We'd be happy to cut off everything north of Watford or West of Oxford from the hinterland. Who needs 'em?

[luzribeiro]

Apparently, anyone who eats bread, fruits, vegetables, milk, and especially: meat.

[kylinrouge]

It's funny how the same ethnic divides centuries ago are fueling these separatist movements.

[abomvubuso]

The Catalans are not Patagonians, but still they consider themselves as distant from the Spanish as to want a divorce from them. Problem is, that move passes through a referendum, which at this point is unconstitutional.

The Spanish constitution doesn't allow a unilateral secession (conveniently) without approval from the other provinces. Similarly to the Ukrainian constitution by the way. And while in the Ukrainian case it's almost certain that the rest of Ukraine would never allow Crimea to go away "legally" (conveniently), some of the other Spanish provinces might enjoy at least considering the thought of dissolving the union, allowing Catalunya to set the precedent, then following suit.

The tighter the economic crisis grips Spain, the more firmly these moods will be setting in and holding ground.

[policraticus]

Patagonians

Iberians, surely.

[policraticus]

Surprised that you didn't mention the fairly amiable Velvet Divorce of Czechoslovkia in 1993 as a model/warning for separatists in the EU. Not sure what Czechoslovak status with the EU was during the divorce.

[luzribeiro]

Czechoslovakia was nowhere near being a EU member. It had nothing to do with the EU.

The Scottish case is a precedent in that respect. So, not mentioning Czechoslovakia, which largely followed the post-Soviet pattern as seen in other parts of Eastern Europe, is not that much of a surprise.

[htpcl]

There's been a Facebook petition for calling a referendum for Bulgaria joining Monaco. I think I'm going to sign it. They're promising a yacht and a casino to everybody.

[dv8nation]

Only one yacht? Hold out for two!

[htpcl]

Now, now. Let's be reasonable. There's not enough room along the Monegasque coast for so many yachts!