The shit in Spain falls mainly in the fan

[Iormlund]

But they also just held a referendum with 90% voting for independence.

A sham referendum that was boycotted by 60% of the electorate. That proves nothing. The only thing that would prove that point would be to call for elections in Catalonia and get a truly massive win.

[viper37]

But they also just held a referendum with 90% voting for independence.

Which was a total sham. There's a bunch of precincts that had over 100% turnout 

Actual elections show separatist parties topping at 48%. Which is a fucking lot and which has to be addressed somehow, but not to the point of imposing illegal independence on the rest of us.

In your opinion, assuming the Spanish government did not send in the police, the army, called Catalan politicians traitors and secessionists, would the result have been that high?  Could the seperatist parties even muster 48% of the vote?

Honest question.

[celedhring]

But they also just held a referendum with 90% voting for independence.

Which was a total sham. There's a bunch of precincts that had over 100% turnout 

Actual elections show separatist parties topping at 48%. Which is a fucking lot and which has to be addressed somehow, but not to the point of imposing illegal independence on the rest of us.

In your opinion, assuming the Spanish government did not send in the police, the army, called Catalan politicians traitors and secessionists, would the result have been that high?  Could the seperatist parties even muster 48% of the vote?

They achieved that without nothing of the above happening. I'm talking about the 2012 and 2015 elections. They have a consistent ceiling of 1,800,000-1,900,000 votes.

[celedhring]

Looks like BancSabadell is going to up sticks. They have a board meeting this afternoon with the relocation on the table.

Maybe the solution to our conflict is becoming poor enough so that we remove the whole "wealthy people nationalism" aspect.

[Josquius]

I don't know the Spanish system. I guess it is more democratic so this rule applies less there.... But in the UK it's a big mistake to read support for nationalist parties at elections  as support for independence (or the opposite).

My company is doubling down on its Barcelona operations. No sign of a course change; a big move of jobs there has been going on for a while.

[celedhring]

When independence becomes the #1 issue in regional politics, I'd say it's not a big mistake to read it that way. In 2015 the nationalist parties (all of them) campaigned on a platform of an UDI if they reached 50%+1 of the vote. They got 48%.

[garbon]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/05/spanish-pm-mariano-rajoy-warns-of-greater-harm-from-catalonia-independence-plans

Spain suspends Catalan parliament session in attempt to block independence

Spain's constitutional court has suspended a Catalan parliament session planned for Monday in an attempt to block an expected declaration of independence by the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont.

[Josquius]

Any truth to this?

[Drakken]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/05/spanish-pm-mariano-rajoy-warns-of-greater-harm-from-catalonia-independence-plans

Spain suspends Catalan parliament session in attempt to block independence

Spain's constitutional court has suspended a Catalan parliament session planned for Monday in an attempt to block an expected declaration of independence by the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont.

From the same article:

Speaking ahead of Thursday's court decision, the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, warned that the situation could escalate further if the Catalan government carried on the path of a unilateral declaration.

"Is there a solution? Yes, there is," Rajoy told the Spanish news agency Efe. "And the best one would be a return to legality and the swiftest possible confirmation that there won't be a unilateral independence declaration, because that way still greater harm could be avoided."

[celedhring]

Any truth to this?

Not that I know. Tractors were used to close off roads this tuesday during the strike, but haven't heard any story of police being "trapped".

This is not the US, but fucking around with the police is hardly a good idea around here either.

[derspiess]

I know it's a tense situation and all, but that's kinda funny whether or not it's true.

[Valmy]

I know it's a tense situation and all, but that's kinda funny whether or not it's true.

I think that is the point. A good story will spread regardless of whether or not it is true and will help bolster separatist morale.

[celedhring]

Pretty sure that's a Russian bot thing though. I can't see why Catalan separatists would spread memes in English. Plus my separatist friends constantly flood my social media timelines with that stuff (god, are they annoying), and it's the first time I see that one.

[Admiral Yi]

Any nasty arguments with your separatist buddies Celery?

[Drakken]

Madrid has officially announced it rejected any and all calls for mediation, without the Catalan government publicly backing down first and renouncing going for UDI.