Why the EU is right to back Spain against Catalonia separatism

The European Union has heard its share of lobbying on behalf of Catalan separatists

Until the events on October 1, in which images of police violently preventing people from voting in Catalonia’s referendum on independence were beamed around the world, the European Union has kept a very uniform position: this is a Spanish affair.

After the confrontation of the Spanish police with demonstrators and voters, the European Commission called for dialogue, while maintaining support for the Spanish government. Some European leaders, such as the Belgian prime minister, went as far as outright condemnation of the violence.

The European Union has heard its share of