Catalan independence: which other countries could split?

In Depth: Spain is not the only nation battling a separatist movement

Flemish flag
The flag of Flanders, a Belgian region that has flirted with independence for decades
(Image credit: Bryn Lennon / Getty Images)

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont has called for mediation with Spain following a violent independence referendum in which pro-separatists claimed 90% of voters’ support.

But while Puigdemont says he is not planning a “traumatic split” with Spain, Madrid doesn’t even recognise what it considers to be an illegal referendum, and blamed voters for fuelling tensions.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up