BREAKING: Catalonia Declares Independence

[mileslunn]

It might be unconstitutional but shouldn't a place have the right to secede if a clear majority want it.  I can understand maybe requiring a higher threshold than just 50%+1 and perhaps require also a certain voter turnout level, but saying it cannot be done whatsoever seems to be going a bit far.  The EU said if Montenegro's independence vote was under 55% that likely wouldn't represent it while here in Canada after the near miss of Quebec separating in 1995, we have the Clarity Act which requires a clear question with a clear majority although basically the Canadian government can decide what constitutes that is no exact number is set.

[mileslunn]

Why are they are taking a hardline?  Here in Canada and in the UK both didn't want Scotland or Quebec to leave, but neither government used such heavy hand to prevent them from holding referendums.  All Spain had to promise is if Catalonia left Spain would veto it's entry to the EU and even many Catalan nationalists would probably find that too much to stomach as I don't think any contemplated the idea of an independent Catalonia outside of the EU, it was always an independent Catalonia as a member of the EU.