Catalonia continues to press on with its independence movement, much to the dismay of Spain and the European Union. Catalonia is not the only region in the EU demanding more autonomy or independence.
Here seven regions in the European Union that may seek separation, and cause more fragmentation in an already weakened Europe.
1. Scotland, Britain
In 2014, Scotland had a historic referendum on leaving the United Kingdom resulting in a narrow 55 percent vote against leaving the UK.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, head of the pro-independence Scottish National Party, is now calling for a second referendum once Britain’s exit from the EU becomes clear.
Scotland is home to 5.2 million people and has been semi-autonomous since 1998 with a devolved parliament that handles matters of education, health, environment and justice.
Diplomacy and defense remain under the control of London.
Sturgeon openly condemned the Spanish police violence during the Catalonia independence vote.
2. Flanders, Belgium
Housing the center of EU oligarchy, Belgium is anything but a unified state.
Created 1830 as an independent nation to act as a buffer between France and Germany, Belgium is a mix of a Flemish-speaking, conservative northerners and French, left-leaning southerners.
The Flemish nationalist sentiment is more powerful than ever, and the separatist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) is now one of the biggest party in Belgium, and a key partner in the coalition government.
The N-VA is pushing for the creation of a Flemish republic, and during the 2018 elections, it may have its chance.
Flanders’ Minister-President Geert Bourgeois called on the Spanish government to start talks with “the legitimate leaders of a peaceful people”.
3. Basques, Spain
Separatist group ETA was founded in 1959 to promote the interests of the Basque region. later turning into a violent independence campaign blamed for 829 deaths.
ETA carried out its last attack in 2010. It has since disarmed in April of this year.
Continue: 7 independence movements that have the potential to destroy the EU
