Madrid’s Hands Off Catalonia Policy Led to 'Local Independence Strife'

The government of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, as well as that of its predecessors, had tacit non-involvement agreements with Catalan nationalists that have conversely contributed to the escalation of the current secessionist spirit in the region, one of the leaders of the Catalan Citizens party, told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Catalonia is holding regional elections on September 27. According to polls, the coalition of the Catalan pro-independence parties is expected to get 65-66 out of 135 seats in the local parliament while the center-left Citizens supporting Spanish integrity comes in second with 20 seats projected.

Madrid believed that it had a quiet understanding with Catalan nationalists that "Spain does not interfere with what is going on in Catalonia" while Catalan leaders respect Spain’s integrity, Carlos Carrizos said.

According to the politician, this strategy has failed to the extent that it now does not make sense "to compromise with those who will never be happy with the concessions you make."

The separatists have made it clear that they want to go, so what is left is "to beat them at the polls" and convince people that the common state is a better alternative, Carrizosa added.

Catalonia has long sought independence from Spain, accusing Madrid of constraining its economic and cultural autonomy and unfairly distributing resources within the country.

A coalition of pro-independence parties has pledged to set processes in motion for the autonomous region to separate from Spain within 18 months, should they win a majority on Sunday.