BARCELONA—The economic strength of Catalonia—one of Spain’s richest regions—is a central concern of secessionists, who argued the region would be even more prosperous as an independent republic. But though an independent Catalonia would retain economic might, it would have to grapple with some daunting issues, economists and policy analysts say. European officials say secession would likely leave Catalonia outside the European Union’s single market, and its banks outside the eurozone. The new nation could inherit a large chunk...

Source: Wall Street Journal October 02, 2017 23:48 UTC