How prepared is Catalonia for statehood?

NATIONHOOD
Catalonia, one of 17 autonomous regions under Spain’s political system, has its own government – Generalitat – presidency, and parliament

POLICY POWER
Catalonia delivers public services in areas such as health and education and has own police force – Mossos d’Esquadra. Madrid retains powers over foreign, defence, immigration and broad economic policy

EU MEMBERSHIP
Two-thirds of Catalonia’s foreign exports go to EU.Catalonia would need to reapply for membership if it seceded and would require agreement of all EU members, including Spain

Catalan President 
Carles Puigdemont

TAX AUTONOMY
Catalonia has just 16% of Spain’s population but 19% of its GDP, and is unhappy about redistribution of tax revenues. Each year, Barcelona pays about €10bn more in taxes to Madrid than it gets back, or around 5% of regional economic output*

PUBLIC DEBT
Catalonia accounts for around 16 percent of Spain’s public debt
Public debt (euros, 2016)
Spain €999bn             Catalonia €72.2bn
(excluding Catalonia)

What percentage of Spanish debt Catalonia would be prepared to assume, and if it would be required to pay off its own debt, will be thorny issue in any negotiations


Sources: BBC, Reuters *2014 figures from Spanish Treasury Picture: Getty Images
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