6 ms·

I wonder if it's a (failed, obviously) attempt to control the optics. As I understand it, polls show a slim majority of Catalan residents actually oppose indep

I wonder if it's a (failed, obviously) attempt to control the optics. As I understand it, polls show a slim majority of Catalan residents actually oppose independence, but people likely to put in the effort and/or take the risk of voting in an illegal referendum will of course skew in favor of independence. So if the vote proceeds, the Spanish government will be struggling to explain the result as being likely not representative, and illegal in any case, but they'll be doing so in the face of an invigorated independence movement that will be claiming a mandate. Even if the Spanish government's position is correct, this is a very hard PR problem. If you can quietly prevent the vote from proceeding, you deny the independence movement the ability to claim a mandate, they have less energy, and your PR problem is easier. Obviously, they got neither of these, but instead got a different flavor of PR disaster.

627467 9y ago
Of course it is a very failed-state-like attempt at controlling optics on both sides: Spain PM and ruling party is marred with corruption cases and independentists parties have been failing to take Catalonia out of recession. Both sides have interest in the current controversy. I'm not minimising the will of some (even many or even majority) of Catalans, or even the will of Spain to keep its integrity through democratic means, but the current escalation everything to do with manipulation by self-interest ed parties.
R_haterade 9y ago
>As I understand it, polls show a slim majority of Catalan residents actually oppose independence, but people likely to put in the effort and/or take the risk of voting in an illegal referendum will of course skew in favor of independence. I was under the impression that the pro-stay leaders were encouraging their supporters to stay home to de-legitimize the vote.
paulddraper 9y ago
True on all counts, but isn't there notion of free speech in Spain?

627467 9y ago

Of course it is a very failed-state-like attempt at controlling optics on both sides: Spain PM and ruling party is marred with corruption cases and independentists parties have been failing to take Catalonia out of recession. Both sides have interest in the current controversy. I'm not minimising the will of some (even many or even majority) of Catalans, or even the will of Spain to keep its integrity through democratic means, but the current escalation everything to do with manipulation by self-interest ed parties.

R_haterade 9y ago

>As I understand it, polls show a slim majority of Catalan residents actually oppose independence, but people likely to put in the effort and/or take the risk of voting in an illegal referendum will of course skew in favor of independence. I was under the impression that the pro-stay leaders were encouraging their supporters to stay home to de-legitimize the vote.

paulddraper 9y ago

True on all counts, but isn't there notion of free speech in Spain?