tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post7577207040371886879..comments2024-03-07T18:57:39.865+00:00Comments on Syniadau :: The Blog: Further thoughts on the Catalan electionSyniadauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13876017048168055247noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-25110148908000527032012-11-29T01:56:03.040+00:002012-11-29T01:56:03.040+00:00Artur Mas has been compared to a Messianic figure ...Artur Mas has been compared to a Messianic figure whose mission is to lead Catalunya to independence. But now that he has to share that role with Oriol Junqueras, people are saying:<br /><br /><b>He's not the Masiah, he's just 'Arfur Mas.....</b>MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09329059309196746446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-55339301707600313342012-11-29T01:31:08.296+00:002012-11-29T01:31:08.296+00:00People might be interested in this article in the ...People might be interested in <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/johnson/2012/11/language-and-nationalism" rel="nofollow">this article</a> in the world edition of the Economist. <br /><br />It is one of the few articles that has given any weight to the cultural and linguistic reasons behind the desire for Catalan independence. Most other articles I've read give the impression that the issue is primarily one of economics brought about by the debt crisis and austerity programme.MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09329059309196746446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-79723042563251040002012-11-28T15:39:10.704+00:002012-11-28T15:39:10.704+00:00Thanks for the VilaWeb video link.
There's a ...Thanks for the VilaWeb video link.<br /><br />There's a slight problem using the word "Sovereignist". If used in the sense of "Catalunya's right to decide without reference to Spain" then ICV should be included; but if it means "Pro-independence" then ICV shouldn't be included. Vicent Partal seems to be using the word in <b>both</b> senses at the same time ... which is a little disingenuous. <br /><br />I think it's better to say that both PSC and ICV would, as a first choice, favour Catalunya being in a more federal Spain (whatever that means, although I think it must mean something along the lines of the fiscal arrangements of the Basque provinces) but that they differ on whether to keep the status quo or go for independence if that option is not on offer. <br /><br />However it's not really relevant what <b>any</b> of the parties' positions on independence are. All that matters is that there is a majority in parliament in favour of a referendum. When it happens, people will vote on the specific question of independence, irrespective of the policy positions of the political parties they voted for.MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09329059309196746446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-73799567238638293312012-11-28T10:52:12.391+00:002012-11-28T10:52:12.391+00:00MH - I'm sure people will be interested to hea...MH - I'm sure people will be interested to hear (and it would be good for BBC and mainstream media to watch too) a presentation in English by the editor of www.vilaweb.cat on the election result:<br /><br />http://player.vimeo.com/video/54390420?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ff9933<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-151955152641039262012-11-27T22:42:24.937+00:002012-11-27T22:42:24.937+00:00We had an ERC speaker at Plaid Cymru summer school...We had an ERC speaker at Plaid Cymru summer school this year and he emphasised that after two stints in a unionist-led coalition government, they were now ready to make an independence referendum their next aim. The ball may well be in CiU's court. If Mas goes for it, there's a serious chance of Catalan independence. If he shies away the moment will be lost. It's really hard to tell what will happen next.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-42652180515055710492012-11-27T20:20:40.964+00:002012-11-27T20:20:40.964+00:00Article on the Silk commission in the Economist:
...Article on the Silk commission in the Economist:<br /><br />http://www.economist.com/news/britain/21567075-scotland-wales-growing-more-independent-westminster-unlike-scotland-it-isnt-too<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-22984438173012089132012-11-27T18:25:24.853+00:002012-11-27T18:25:24.853+00:00I would say that these are early days, when all si...I would say that these are early days, when all sides are expected to make statements in the media, and where those statements are completely predictable, 17:09.<br /><br />All the pressure is on ERC, because they have a choice about the shape of the government. CiU don't have a choice. They know they must lead it, and can only hope ERC will decide to join them. I don't think there's any possibility of them looking to the PSC or PP.<br /><br />What really matters will happen in discussions behind closed doors. The big question for ERC is whether a minority CiU government will be stable or not. If it isn't, it will hinder the process of moving towards independence and they would therefore have to become part of government in order to keep things moving forward.<br /><br />As I see it, it isn't simply a question of when the referendum will be. It's clear that a referendum can be called at any time, and that the result will be a Yes. The more important things right now are to begin to set up the structures that will make an independent Catalunya possible, particularly to collect taxes, and to negotiate Catalunya's position within the EU.<br /><br />If there is any doubt about the stability or determination of the Catalan government, those in the EU (both officials and the governments of member states) will be less inclined to hammer out an agreement. They'll just keep putting it off, as they have done so far, unless they are convinced independence will happen. A Catalan Unity Government could help persuade them.MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09329059309196746446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-22199202111421897732012-11-27T18:00:04.359+00:002012-11-27T18:00:04.359+00:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-4067392911653430682012-11-27T17:51:38.678+00:002012-11-27T17:51:38.678+00:00I don't see why the the CiU and ERC (and perha...I don't see why the the CiU and ERC (and perhaps others) couldn't form a brief "coalition of convenience" or "coalition for Catalan national unity". <br /><br />They could concentrate 100% on : the constitution, providing some stability to the Catalan budget situation and delivering a referendum within, for arguments sake, two years.<br /><br />Then - subject to any referendum result - they could call fresh elections in preparation for independence, or even a Basque style agreement (if that's what they decide to go for).<br /><br />I'd be concerned that Madrid might want to foster ideological differences between all of the nationalist parties to "divide and rule", or as you and others have pointed out, ramp up the pressure to make any move towards independence unpalatable.<br /><br />I don't think the Catalans would want to go down the UDI route, but is it possible that Mas - or someone else - might want to become some sort of "hero" and attempt it? Especially if they think the Madrid government is being unreasonable at some point in the near future.Owenhttp://oggybloggyogwr.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-82666932492196861782012-11-27T17:34:29.439+00:002012-11-27T17:34:29.439+00:00The first three comments have been deleted because...The first three comments have been deleted because they are irrelevant to this post. Those who are obsessed with such matters will have to talk about them elsewhere.MHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09329059309196746446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-81346575782230325272012-11-27T17:09:46.615+00:002012-11-27T17:09:46.615+00:00If my googlechrome translation of www.vilweb.cat i...If my googlechrome translation of www.vilweb.cat is correct, then I think ERC are offering CiU support on consitutional issues but not become a formal part of the government.<br /><br />http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/4059143/20121127/junqueras-cal-entrar-govern.html<br /><br />Aznar (former PP Prime Ministe of Spain who was very anti Catalan and Basque) has said that a CiU ERC coaliion would be 'explosive' ... maybe the kind of image he wants to create so as to arrest Mas for being unconstitutional and by implication causing a 'coup'! Yes, he's actually, if I'm correct, accusing the Catalans of trying to stage a coup.<br /><br />http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/4059125/20121127/aznar-pacte-ciu-erc-seria-explosiu.html <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-60832156693579060852012-11-27T17:07:44.205+00:002012-11-27T17:07:44.205+00:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-27266640958127870732012-11-27T17:00:37.667+00:002012-11-27T17:00:37.667+00:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-985080357558043054.post-68891807584590316212012-11-27T16:34:00.747+00:002012-11-27T16:34:00.747+00:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com