02.10.2017 - 12:01 [ Irish Times ]

Paddy Woodworth: Rajoy has played into the hands of Catalan nationalism

All that said, polls repeatedly show that a majority of Catalans do want the right to decide their own future, though only a minority are likely to actually vote for independence. For many Catalans, the issue is simply one of courtesy and respect – if Madrid wants their allegiance, the least Madrid can do is ask for it nicely, not enforce it.