Across Europe, separatists have eagerly watched Catalan activists declare their independence in a crisis that threatens to fracture not just Spain, but the European Union. The decision by the parliament in Catalonia to declare independence last week has galvanized independence movements in other European countries. (Catalan separatists across the border from Catalonia in Perpignan, France, also offered the leaders asylum.) If federal police are filmed beating Catalan independence supporters again this week, as they were during the independence vote, Maddens said that could fuel nationalist movements across Europe. Other European separatists have come close to independence in recent years, notably those in Scotland, which voted against independence three years ago, 55% to 45%, with a record 85% turnout.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 30, 2017 12:01 UTC