Things may have just gotten a little more interesting in Spain.
Catalan parliament declares independence from Spain
The Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, just as the Spanish government appears set to impose direct rule. The move was backed 70-10 in a ballot boycotted by opposition MPs.
Spain’s Senate is still to vote on whether for the first time to enact Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, which empowers the government to take “all measures necessary to compel” a region in case of a crisis.
I have absolutely no sense that anyone in Catalonia is interested in actually fighting for independence, or even seeking true independence free of the European Union. Then again, Napoleon didn’t think the Spanish were going to fight the king he imposed on them either. Either way, we will probably find out fairly soon.
It might be even more interesting if the Spanish Senate voted against enacting Article 155.
UPDATE: They didn’t exactly hesitate. Madrid imposes direct rule on Catalonia just 40 minutes after the region FINALLY declared independence.