CATALONIA -- Katalonien träumt von der Unabhängigkeit - Proteste in Barcelona und Wien - KURIER.at
The Catalan dream hundreds of thousands of Catalans want to be independent and call for protest against Spain - also in Vienna.
It is a colorful group that has gathered in front of the Giant Ferris
Wheel. In yellow-red-blue flags wrapped, some in the FC Barcelona shirt,
they are lined up in the shape of the letter V.
V as Victoria,
victory. Or V as votar, select. "We Catalans will vote on our future,"
said the spokesman of about 50 protesters, Daniel Teixidor. The
architect has lived for four years in Austria, has here work, family,
and friends. Nevertheless, he braves the wet late summer weather to draw
attention to the independence movement in his homeland. And this is
Catalonia - even if his passport is a Spanish.
Mass protests
V_in Wien_1.JPG demonstration in Vienna's Prater. - Photo: ANC
Just as Catalans protest here this day throughout Europe. You want to
increase the pressure on the Spanish Government. This has designated and
prohibited the planned for November 9 referendum on independence as
unconstitutional. Catalonia however, insists on the questioning of its
citizens. The largest demonstration is planned in Barcelona, the
capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia. Or the country of
Catalonia, if you ask most patriotic inhabitants. On Thursday, the
National Day, two huge boulevards for the protests to be disabled - are
from above the crowds like a huge V look. 400,000 want to come. A clear
signal to Madrid
Neo-Vienna on a mission
foto.jpg Daniel
Teixidor, Catalans in Vienna. - Photo: COURIER Hotels In Vienna, the V
has failed modest. The demands are no less noisy. For the 35-year-old
Daniel Teixidor has a mission: "The Austrians will know why we want to
be independent." But he written flyers, organized campaigns. The
dark-haired, born in Barcelona Neo-Wiener is a member of the Catalan
National Assembly, a nonpartisan and European citizens' movement for
independence. At his home was only spoken Catalan, Spanish he first
learned in kindergarten. "Spanish is a great language., But it's not my
language. When I think, when I dream, I do it in Catalan." For the
Catalan language is a big part of their identity, which distinguishes
them from the Spaniards. Finally, "we are socialized together," explains
Teixidor. And the activist has just Spanish friends: "I can talk to
them about everything." Then he adds: ". Except politics"
Is
Catalonia a nation? For Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, there is this
question only one No ". Catalonia Spain is inconceivable without"
However, his Catalan counterpart Artur Mas affirmative: "We have been a
thousand years its own nation." The climate between the two cooled off
considerably last. Was triggered by the failure of negotiations on a
fiscal pact. Less taxes - the wanted Mas for the economically strong,
but battered by the crisis region. Rajoy granted the wishes of a clear
rejection.
Fear domino effect
The current referendum he also
rejects. There are many reasons: One fifth of the Spanish GDP is
generated there, also a quarter of exports. And a domino effect can not
be excluded: In the Basque country fighting separatists for a
separation. The idea of a state Catalonia wants in Madrid so no
denken.Je to end dismissive the central government, the stronger grows
the demand for secession. Even so, some apolitical Catalans in his
circle of friends was the independence supporters, told Teixidor. "Each
of us has ever stupid sayings by a Spaniard heard," he says. "We have
the tutelage just tired."
There are not
but all Catalans
excited about the developments. Finally, a spin-off also means the
withdrawal from the EU, with enormous economic consequences. Some
advocate a compromise solution, for example, more autonomy and its own
financial management. Therefore the referendum, it was also important to
capture a mood, how many want to be independent because, says Albert
Royo, Chef at the Catalan Government Organization Public Diplomacy
Council.
The polls speak this language not clear. Thus, 60 percent
would vote for independence if you ask the opinion research center of
the Catalan Government. The Madrid-based conservative daily El Mundo on
the other hand is the number of supporters with only 34 percent aus.Für
the demonstrators in the Vienna Prater is the one-awaited independence,
but also dream. "If Catalonia becomes independent, that would be a
unique moment in history," says Teixidor and smiles. "But I would also
return to Barcelona."
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