The chaos triggered by the Catalan referendum and the subsequent declaration of independence from Spain has put the spotlight on the many existing secessionist movements in different parts of Europe. The pro-independence groups come from regions that have economic strength disproportionate to the power they hold and resent having to subsidise the poorer regions with their countries. As the Madrid government struggles to contain the damage, here is a look at the main pro-independence movements in Europe.
1. Flanders (Belgium)
The Dutch-speaking Flanders is the prosperous half of Belgium and it has historically had a tense relationship with the other half, the French-speaking Wallonia. Though it is ruled by the nationalist New Flemish Alliance whose manifesto calls for Flanders to secede from Belgium, the party has, since 2014, been working with the government to gain greater autonomy for its citizens. However, the upcoming 2019 elections is expected to once again bring the issue to the fore.
2. Lombardy and Veneto (Italy)
In Italy, Lombardy, whose capital city is Milan, and Veneto, home to Venice, had voted for greater autonomy from Rome in the referendums held on October 22, this year. These regions, known for their prosperity, have long resented the subsidisation of the poorer regions in the south from their contributions to the national coffers. However, the regions currently do not plan on secession – what they want is control over spending, healthcare and immigration.
3. Corsica (France)
The Mediterranean island (which featured prominently in the comic book ‘Asterix in Corsica’) has had a troubled history with France from the 1970s until 2000 when it was granted increased autonomy from France. The island is currently ruled by a coalition of two nationalist parties which has declared that Corsica is culturally and historically separate from France.
4. Scotland (Britain)
In the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, the pro-independence voters lost, getting about 45% of the votes in their favour. Scottish first Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for a referendum to be held in 2018, but in wake of Brexit, United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May has said that “now is not the time” to discuss it and that the country should be " working together, not pulling apart ".
5. Basque (Spain)
One of the many reasons why Spain is hitting back against attempts at secession by Catalonia could be the awareness that the developments there can have adverse effects on the situation in Basque. The region in northern Spain had, in 2008, proposed that a consultative referendum be held, only to be struck down by the Constitutional Court of Spain.
6. Faroe Islands (Denmark)
The Faroe Islands, which has been an autonomous country since 1948, is hoping to hold a referendum for separation from Copenhagen in April 2018. Thanks to booming tourism and fish prices, the archipelago is going through a period of economic prosperity and hopes to leverage it to wrestle the control of currency, foreign affairs and military from the mainland.
7. Bavaria (Germany)
The largest of the 16 federal states of Germany and the home of the famous Oktoberfest, Bavaria has been a part of Germany since the 1870s. However, the wealthy southern state’s pro-independence Bavaria Party’s attempt to force a referendum was shut down by a court early this year. The German court said that such an attempt would be a violation of the constitutional order.
