Catalan independence a no-go for Brussels

Throughout the Catalan crisis, Brussels has been firmly in Spain’s corner.

That does not come as a surprise, given that the country is a EU member state wielding considerable influence across town.

At an event on banking, another Commissioner repeated the official position: Valdis Dombrovskis, in charge of the euro and social dialogue:

“We trust in Spanish institutions, in Prime Minister Rajoy, with whom President Juncker is in constant contact, and in all political forces who are working towards a solution within the framework of the Spanish Constitution.”

Catalonia has been trying to drum up support for independence in top EU circles – without much success.

That leaves the representative of the secessionist province with little more than hope that Madrid will somehow compromise.

“This is about politics, this is about emotions, feelings as president Tusk from the European Council rightly said yesterday, it´s about respect”, says Amadeu Altafaj.

“So let´s hope that the Spanish goverment at some point will leave aside this strong language, this hard talk and will engage really and show the will to solve this issue through politics.”

On Wednesday, before Catalonia’s suspended declaration of independence, EU Council President Donald Tusk said that he “understands and feels the arguments and emotions of all sides”.

This was the most comforting statement the breakaway Catalans would ever get from Brussels.