Zapatero in crisis over separatists (Spain)

[bemildred]

Babble, but interesting babble.

The Spanish prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, is facing the biggest test of his authority after a separatist group threatened to bring down his government in an escalating row over Basque independence.

The Catalan Republican Left is angry that Mr Zapatero has rejected a plan for increased regional independence passed by the Basque parliament last week. Mr Zapatero aligned himself with the centre-right opposition in turning down the plan, which he says runs counter to the principles of the Spanish constitution.

"As the Basque leader well knows, this plan is not going to prosper," he said. "Within the democratic community of our country there is a place for everyone, and everything can be discussed within the framework of the constitution. Outside of that framework, there is nothing to discuss."

Basque nationalists hope last week's vote in Vitoria will persuade Mr Zapatero to back a constitutional amendment which would allow their proposal to become law.

Guardian UK

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I think we need a separatist movement.

[ret5hd]

2. How much you wanna bet...

that since Zapatero's win, the Basque separatist movement (which by all accounts was almost dead just prior to his election) has seen a major influx of money and supplies from the cia?

[bemildred]

3. An interesting thought.

It's worth remembering that historically Catalonia has also been independence minded, so this is somewhat a re-assertion of old agendas.
We will have to see what Mr. Zapatero does about it. He doesn't seem to be taking the belligerent approach, which seems wise to me.