ArmInfo. Recognition of independence of Catalonia by Brussels and the subsequent withdrawal from Spain will lead to the collapse of the European Union. The scientific director of the German-Russian forum, political scientist Alexander Rahr, expressed his opinion to ArmInfo.
On October 1, a referendum was held in Catalonia, which raised the issue of secession from Spain. According to the official representative of the Catalonian Ministry of Education, Jordi Turul, the separation from Spain was supported by 90% of the voters. In total, 2.3 million out of 5.3 million voters voted in the referendum. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has already stated "there was no referendum on Catalonia's independence."
"Catalonia can become a sort of European precedent, whereas in Europe there are many countries having problems similar to those in Spain, for example, the southern Tyroles who live in Italy, which, if they are, can also manifest separatist sentiments." Therefore, Catalonia and everything that can happen after Catalonia - a very real and serious threat to the integrity of the EU itself, "the political scientist said.
In this light, Rahr is convinced that Brussels has no alternative to supporting Madrid and, accordingly, to support and recognize the results of the Catalan referendum or calls for Catalonia's independence will not be. The path of the EU is the disregard for the referendum, accompanied by the support of Madrid by all available opportunities.
At the same time, the political scientist believes that the Catalans will not take up arms for gaining independence, the dissatisfied mostly will only protest at the rallies, but they will be reassured. He also noted the presence of a substantial percentage of Catalans, who favor the preservation of Catalonia as part of Spain. In this light, Rahr does not see any real prospects for independent Catalonia, predicting only the strengthening of the existing autonomy within Spain.