https://theloop.ecpr.eu/why-catalan-pro-independence-parties-want-their-own-state/ ECPR's Political Science Blog Fri, 16 Sep 2022 07:43:38 +0000 hourly 1 https://theloop.ecpr.eu/why-catalan-pro-independence-parties-want-their-own-state/#comment-42593 Fri, 16 Sep 2022 07:43:38 +0000 https://theloop.ecpr.eu/?p=6084#comment-42593 As a foreign resident of Catalunya I wish to remind the author that in any vote on the matter of succession, either referendum or election, pro-independence supporters are always a minority. Like the Catalan government this article also ignores the 17% of foreign residents that live here, contribute to the economy, yet don't get a vote on their destiny (Barcelona has 20% foreigners). Catalan governments continue to close their eyes to globalization. They want our taxes (which are higher here than in any other autonomous region) but they don't want to allow us a vote. Compare that with the independence vote in Scotland which was much more inclusive of all residents. I believe there should be a vote, I believe that all residents here should be afforded the right to vote. I believe the unionist would prevail in such a vote. Catalunya deserves a better level of autonomy but it still would need to pay more into central government that it received back (a point of contention for pro-independence parties). It's a wealthy region. Wealthy support the needy. That applies equally to governments as it does to residents that pay higher taxes.

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