Scotland chose correctly, says Spanish PM

Although Catalans were hoping that Scotland would vote yes, the fact they voted at all is encouraging

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has expressed his delight that the Scottish Independence Referendum fell on the side of the ‘No’ vote, citing the “serious consequences” that could have occurred had Scotland voted for independence…

Careful not to mention the thorny Catalan issue directly, Rajoy issued a video statement last week that was timed to coincide with Catalan MPs voting on whether to hold their own independence referendum – something that Madrid has said it will refuse to sanction.

In the video, Rajoy remarked: “With their decision, Scots have avoided the large economic, social, institutional and political consequences that separation would have brought.

“The Scots chose between segregation and integration. Between isolation and being open. Between stability and uncertainty. And they chose the best option for everyone – for themselves and for Europe.”

Catalan MPs have passed a law allowing a non-binding vote on independence to take place on November 9. The referendum will almost certainly enjoy majority support for independence, which is something Catalonia has been angling for for decades. However, officials in Madrid have repeatedly said that any independence vote in Catalonia would not be recognised by central government.

Despite Rajoy’s words, and Scotland’s no vote, pro-Catalan independence campaigners have said that they will not be cowed into dropping their push for segregation.

“What happened in Scotland was exactly what we expected would happen,” said Ricard Gene of the Catalan National Assembly. “The main point for us is that the Scots have been able to vote and express their will collectively for their future. Whether they voted yes or no, that would have been all right.

“What we really feel is envy about the possibility of voting. This is what we are fighting for.”

Albert Royo of Catalan public diplomacy body Diplocat said that a Yes vote would have helped Catalonia’s cause, but he too suggested that the outcome last week simply underlined the fact that Scotland was allowed to decide its own future – something the Catalans have been denied so far.

“Just because the Scots voted no, it does not mean that everyone here will decide to give up and conclude that the issue is over,” Royo said.