Spaniards must compromise

Compromise will be needed if the Catalan regional leaders in Spain make good their intention to declare independence this week. Such a move would probably undermine European stability and be a major setback for the Western alliance. A reflection of what is at stake can be seen in the way the secessionist movement, rejected by the US, the EU and most Western nations, is being strongly supported by Venezuela’s communist dictatorship. Russia’s propaganda machine, sensing an opportunity to weaken the West, has also been stirring up the separatists against the government in Madrid.

Claims in Barcelona that a 90 per cent Yes vote in last week’s illegal referendum is enough to go ahead with an independence declaration are contentious. The turnout was 42 per cent, which translates to 40 per cent support among Catalans, in line with opinion poll forecasts. Catalan President Carles Puigdemont needs to think seriously. Catalan scholars helped draft the post-Franco 1978 constitution which established the “indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation”. Ninety per cent of Catalans voted for it.

With separatist Basques, Scottish nationalists and the Lega Nord in Italy watching, the last thing the West needs is for Spain to be torn apart. Barcelona and Madrid must agree on greater Catalan autonomy, not independence.