As the Catalonian independence battle continues to escalate ahead of the proposed October 1st referendum, Mariano Rajoy’s government is going all-out to thwart the secessionist efforts of Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. As he does so, it is becoming harder to see when or how this increasingly unpleasant conflict will be resolved.
Following the orders of a judge on Wednesday morning, national police raided 42 premises in Barcelona – including several governmental offices – in search of referendum-related materials such as ballot papers and pro-independence pamphlets. They arrested 14 people, amongst them the Economy Secretary General Josep Maria Jové and an advertising professional whose firm is believed to be in possession of material relating to the referendum. For the national government in Madrid, raids such as these are one of only a few options remaining if the October 1st plebiscite – which Spain’s highest court has declared unconstitutional – is to be prevented.
The raids and arrests caused outrage among many Catalans and the streets outside the economy ministry quickly filled up with protestors.
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