Canary Islands MP demands same statute as Cataluña

Anyone who has read any Spanish news or watched any Spanish TV in the last few weeks will have heard the word "statut" (statute) over and over and ... It is a serious issue, but it has got to the point of being either a) boring or b) a farce.

The statute in question, in case you are unfamiliar, aims to grant even more autonomy to the regional government. Spain already operates on this basis, where individual regions, for ease of comparison, because, obviously, it not exactly the same, are somewhat like the various States of America, each with their own governments, as well as a national government.

Those who are against granting further independence to these regions, fear that it is the end of Spain as we know it.

Those who are for these statute changes, generally cite more relevant governance locally, which is in tune with the specific needs, culture, people, economy, conditions, etc.

There can be no doubt that the Canary Islands condition as islands does suppose a very particular set of circumstances.

There's also the "if you give it one, they'll all want it" issue.

So it occurred to me that, any minute now, someone will want the same treatment for the Canary Islands ...

Think Spain are reporting that Paulino Rivero, the President of the Canary Islands Coalition, and a member of the Madrid Parliament stated that he expected the same treatment for the Canary Islands as that afforded Cataluña in the reform of the local Statutes of Autonomy. He added that he would be asking the Socialist Government for the same powers for the Canary Islands as have been granted to Cataluña.

Canary Islands MP demands same statute as Cataluña

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 Nick wrote (on February 01, 2006 12:08 PM)  

The whole debate over the Estatut has become something of a political football for anyone opposing the current government. Catalonia is simply requesting the same rights that have been granted to the Navarre and Basque regions. Its not a statement of independence - it is simply a request to be granted the same rights as other regions in Spain. Good work on your blog by the way.

 Pamela wrote (on February 01, 2006 2:44 PM)  

Thanks for the compliments Nick and for dropping by. Yes, you can't really see what all the fuss is about, if all that Catalonia (and now the Canaries) want is the same as others already have.

I was trying to simplify the description for those readers who may not know anything about the workings of Spain - and not use too many words to bore them to death. :) Self-governance might be a better term than independence.

Anyway, if others already have it and the world hasn't (totally) come to an end, then fears expressed about the breakup of Spain or some other disaster befalling as a consequence, cannot be real fears.

As you say, they just become the football in this rather silly political game.