Why do catalans want independence

Here's What to Know. By Tara John. Correction appended, Oct. Where is Catalonia, Spain on the map? Related Stories. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. That would bring the Catalans more into line with the Basques, who collect their own taxes and remit less to Madrid.

But the differences between ordinary Spaniards and Catalans weigh heavily. More than a dozen people I have spoken to underline that Basque contentment owes a lot to Eta finally ending its armed campaign in But reconciliation is going much faster than we thought. The Catalans do not have the same tools. The rest is what we, the Basque institutions, give them. The Spanish parliament ruled it out in and the PNV withdrew the plan. We like guarantees and to keep what we have.

We are not up for leaps in the dark. Spain needs to play its cards well too, because the desire for independence of these two culturally distinct nations is not going to go away. We are different people. We do things our way. We really want to get on with our neighbours but we want to have control of our own affairs.

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Promoted Content. Mr Puigdemont continues to defy the Madrid government but it is also unclear just how much of the Catalan population do genuinely want to leave Spain or indeed the EU as it will involve a major economic shock. They are likely to no longer be able to use the euro as currency and will initially have no access to financial markets.

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Recommended Catalonia fallout will likely quash Scottish independence Spanish government to seek rebellion charges against Catalan leaders Spanish prime minister Rajoy vows to restore 'rule of law'.

Basque independence supporters stage a solidarity march with Catalonia in the northern village of Lazkao. Madrid is concerned Catalan independence will encourage other separatist regions. A Catalan independence flag. Catalan independence activists say the region has a long history of being oppressed by Spain Getty Images. Recommended By refusing to address the Catalan crisis, the EU shows its worst side.

People waving Spanish flags from the Casa Batllo in Barcelona during an anti-independence rally. It is unclear how much support there is for declaring unilateral independence. Already subscribed? Log in.