That response was what some of the Rising’s leaders, especially Pádraig Pearse, had anticipated. Catalonia will... move forward determinedly from non-violence to freedom,” said Jordi Sànchez, who was sentenced to nine years in jail. As our difficulties over Brexit, hard borders and backstops show, secession always carries unexpected difficulties. In a Spanish context, and especially from a Catalonian perspective, yesterday’s rulings will exacerbate those difficulties. Despite that, it is hard not to think that Catalonia’s, Spain’s and Europe’s interests are best served by unity, even if huge reforms are needed to make that unity real.

Source: Irish Examiner October 14, 2019 23:03 UTC