Hundreds of Thousands Demonstrate in Barcelona in Support of Spain's Unity

Hundreds of thousands of people in Spain demonstrated on Sunday in support of the unity of the country in the streets of Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonia region. According to Reuters, this is the largest show of force by the 'silent majority' in favor of Spain's unity in Catalonia. Opposition parties against Catalonia's separation slightly outperformed separatists in a poll conducted on Sunday, November 7, in these areas. Recent polls and elections indicate that about half of the people in the autonomous region of Catalonia oppose separating from Spain; however, it was the separatists who took the initiative by holding a referendum. The Spanish government announced that elections would be held on December 21 after the dismissal of Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont and the dissolution of the parliament and its autonomous government. The local Catalan government had stated that due to the affirmative vote of the voters for Catalonia's independence on October 1, it was obliged to declare independence. However, the central government of Spain claims that the independence referendum is unconstitutional. On the other hand, most supporters of Spain's unity in Catalonia boycotted this referendum. On Sunday, thousands of people in the streets of Barcelona held Spanish flags that read 'Long Live Spain.' The central government of Spain announced on Saturday that separatist politicians, including Puigdemont, could participate in the elections on December 21. Josep Borrell, former President of the European Parliament, in his speech among supporters of Spain's unity, urged them to participate widely in the parliamentary elections on December 21 to prevent separatists from having the upper hand in the Catalan local parliament. Meanwhile, Carles Puigdemont from the separatist city of Girona urged separatists to peacefully confront Madrid's actions. However, internationally, European countries, the United States, and Mexico have also opposed Catalonia's separation. While the central government has taken direct control of the region by dismissing and dissolving Catalonia's officials and parliament, the 'Catalan National Assembly,' a major separatist group, has called on employees of government offices, police, and other urban service centers to execute Madrid's orders with 'peaceful resistance.' The 'CSC' labor union has also called for a general strike. Amid political instability in Catalonia, the economy of this region, which accounts for one-fifth of Spain's total economy, has been damaged. Tourism and markets in Catalonia have also not been spared from these damages. Barcelona is one of the major tourist attractions in Spain. In this context, the President of the Catalan Parliament described the Spanish government's actions against this region as a 'coup.' The Spanish Senate held a session to approve direct rule over Catalonia. The Prime Minister of Spain dissolved the Catalan government; elections will be held in December. Supporters of the unity of Catalonia and Spain are taking to the streets of Barcelona.