The Pressure Rises In Catalonia
Bloomberg Businessweek|September 25, 2017

Separatists clash with authorities in advance of an Oct. 1 vote on independence

Esteban Duarte
The Pressure Rises In Catalonia

As the Spanish region of Catalonia edges closer to a referendum on independence that the government in Madrid has declared illegal, both sides are raising the stakes in Spain’s gravest constitutional crisis in decades. With separatists deep into meticulously planned, but covert, preparations for an Oct. 1 vote on whether Catalonia should go its own way, Spain’s Civil Guard on Sept. 20 raided Catalan government offices and other sites across the region. “The government is doing what it has to do,” Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told Parliament in Madrid as the raids unfolded. “We will keep doing so until the very end.” Catalan separatist lawmakers walked out of the chamber in response to his comments.

In Barcelona, thousands of angry protesters gathered outside the Catalan government finance office as police searched the premises. The demonstrators chanted that the crackdown was a return to the authoritarian tactics of dictator Francisco Franco and set up improvised security checks to control access to the building. “I’ve been waiting all my life for freedom,” said Jordi Adroer, a 58-year old economics professor at the protest. “We are here to stop the forces of Spanish repression.”

If the vote is blocked, Catalans seeking to force a rupture with the state are threatening even bigger demonstrations, potentially targeting export industries. “The Spanish government has crossed the red line that separated it from repressive authoritarian regimes,” Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, flanked by his top officials, said in a televised statement. Insisting that the vote will go ahead, he said Spain “has become a disgrace to democracy.”

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEKView all
Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App

The rise of AI and the fall of Twitter could create opportunities for upstarts

time-read
4 mins  |
March 13, 2023
Running in Circles
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Running in Circles

A subscription running shoe program aims to fight footwear waste

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort
Bloomberg Businessweek US

What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort

Nine wild secrets from the staff at Turtle Bay, who have to manage everyone from haughty honeymooners to go-go-dancing golfers.

time-read
10 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto
Bloomberg Businessweek US

How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto

The best restaurant in the world just began its second pop-up in Japan. Here's what's cooking

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
The Last-Mover Problem
Bloomberg Businessweek US

The Last-Mover Problem

A startup called Sennder is trying to bring an extremely tech-resistant industry into the age of apps

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Tick Tock, TikTok
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Tick Tock, TikTok

The US thinks the Chinese-owned social media app is a major national security risk. TikTok is running out of ways to avoid a ban

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria

A UK company produces colors with less water than conventional methods and no toxic chemicals

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Pumping Heat in Hamburg
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Pumping Heat in Hamburg

The German port city plans to store hot water underground and bring it up to heat homes in the winter

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge

Squid's ability to flourish in warmer waters makes it fitting for a diet for the changing environment

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
New Money, New Problems
Bloomberg Businessweek US

New Money, New Problems

In Naples, an influx of wealthy is displacing out-of-towners lower-income workers

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023