Why Catalunya Wants to Escape
- The Rich Country
Catalunya is a Spanish autonomous region with a population of 7.5 million. This is one of the most prosperous regions. Catalunya contributed one fifth of Spain's 1.1 trillion euros (Rp 17 thousand trillion) in economic revenues.
- Autonomous Region
The Catalunya government has its own police force and is allowed to regulate health and education policies. However, key areas such as taxes, foreign affairs, defense, ports, airports and transportation are entirely in the hands of the central government.
- Limited Autonomy
Catalunya's independence activists were unhappy with the limited autonomy given to their country. They argue, Catalunya contributed far more than what they received from the Spanish government.
- Different Treatment
According to experts, the lack of autonomy in the economic field, makes many citizens of Catalunya angry. The region is required to pay taxes to the central government, which will be allocated to health, education and public infrastructure.
It was not applied to the Basques of northern Spain and Navarra. Both areas are allowed to collect and process taxes independently.
Spain's refusal to extend this taxation and allocation privilege has sparked anger at Catalunya.
- Cultural Differences
Citizens of Catalunya have cultural differences with Spain, including traditions and languages.
