View source for Reactions to the 2017 Catalan independence referendum

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
As a result of the advisory [[2017 Catalan independence referendum]], reactions came from a multitude of avenues, including the domestic central state and other official bodies, as well as international commentary. Whilst the government and non-government community in Catalonia defended the vote, most of the international community either defended Spain's "territorial integrity" or simply criticised the central police's overhanded response. Other sub-national entities also supported Catalonia.
== Domestic ==
=== Catalonia ===
Catalonian President [[Carles Puigdemont]] said he will keep his pledge to declare independence unilaterally. He added that Catalonia "has won the right to become an independent state."<ref name="star">{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/the-latest-activists-await-ballots-in-banned-catalonia-vote/448860763/|title=The Latest: Catalonia: 90 percent vote for independence|website=startribune.com}}</ref> He further blamed the situation in Catalonia on the "intransigence, the repression, the complete denial of reality, the hostility seen during the democratic demands made by our country" and that "on this day of hope and suffering, Catalonia's citizens have earned the right to have an independent state in the form of a republic ... We have earned the right to be listened to, respected and recognised."<ref name="guard" />
Barcelona Mayor [[Ada Colau]] called on Spanish Prime Minister [[Mariano Rajoy]] to resign, She told ''[[TV3 (Catalonia)|TV3]]'' that "Rajoy has been a coward, hiding behind the prosecutors and courts. Today he crossed all the red lines with the police actions against normal people, old people, families who were defending their fundamental rights. It seems obvious to me that Mariano Rajoy should resign." She added that Catalonia has "earned the right to demand" a proper vote on independence from Spain: "the European Union must take a stand on what has happened in Catalonia".<ref name="star" />
Jordi Sanchez, leader of the [[Assemblea Nacional Catalana|ANC]], spoke in Barcelona's main square saying he hopes that "very soon we will see the birth of a new Catalan state." He also warned local leaders: "Now, don't let us down ... The moment of truth has arrived." Government Spokesman Jordi Turull said that Spain is "the shame of Europe" for its crackdown. He added that "what the police are doing is simply savage, it's an international scandal". The CCOO union called for a [[general strike]] on 3 October "to condemn the violence employed by security forces of the state to stop the referendum". It also called for protests on 2 October at 12:00 in front of town halls across Catalonia. Jordi Cuixart, the leader of [[Omnium (labour union)|Omnium]], also urged a general strike in Catalonia on 3 October.<ref name="star" />
[[File:08.10.2017 Manifestació "Prou! Recuperem el seny" - Barcelona 02.jpg|thumb|Demonstration on 8 October 2017]]
On 8 October 2017, [[Societat Civil Catalana]] gathered over a million people according to the organizers and the Spanish government and 350,000 people according to Barcelona police, in a rally against [[Catalan independence]]. To date this event was the largest pro-Constitution and anti-independence demonstration in the history of Catalonia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/10/08/59da314846163f50618b45e5.html|title=Más de un millón de personas colapsan Barcelona contra el independentismo|website=Elmundo.es|access-date=10 December 2017|date=2017-10-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/08/world/europe/catalonia-independence-protest.html|title='I Am Spanish': Thousands in Barcelona Protest a Push for Independence|first1=Jason|last1=Horowitz|first2=Patrick|last2=Kingsley|date=8 October 2017|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
On 12 October 2017, 65,000 people, according to the Barcelona local police, marched against independence in a smaller demonstration marking the [[Fiesta Nacional de España|Spanish national day]]. The turnout was thirteen times more than the prior year and the highest on record in Barcelona's history for this event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larazon.es/espana/miles-de-personas-se-concentran-en-barcelona-por-el-12-o-GA16529186|title=Barcelona vive la manifestación más multitudinaria de su historia en un 12-O|first=La|last=Razón|website=Larazon.es|date=12 October 2017|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/cataluna/2017/10/12/59df324d22601d53378b45af.html|title=65.000 manifestantes en el 12-O de Barcelona, según la Guardia Urbana, trece veces más que el año anterior|website=Elmundo.es|date=12 October 2017|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/2017/10/the_latest_65000_recorded_at_spanish_loyalist_rally|title=The Latest: 65,000 recorded at Spanish loyalist rally|website=Bostonherald.com|access-date=10 December 2017|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620020543/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/2017/10/the_latest_65000_recorded_at_spanish_loyalist_rally|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 29 October 2017, hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of Barcelona in favor of the unity of Spain and celebrating the Spanish government forcing [[2017 Catalan regional election|new regional elections in December]], in a demonstration called by Societat Civil Catalana. According to the Delegation of the Spanish government in Catalonia the turnout was of 1,000,000 people whereas according to the Barcelona police it was of 300,000 people. Societat Civil Catalana itself estimated the turnout at 1,000,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20171029/432456948913/manifestacion-barcelona-unidad-espana.html|title=Manifestación Barcelona: 1.000.000 personas según la delegación del Gobierno|newspaper=La Vanguardia|date=29 October 2017|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/29/spain-barcelona-set-for-huge-rally-against-catalan-independence-catalonia|title=Catalonia: Madrid warns of Puigdemont jailing as thousands rally for unity|first=Sam|last=Jones|date=29 October 2017|website=Theguardian.com|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/catalonia-independence-protesters-stage-big-anti-independence-rally/|title=Protesters stage big anti-independence rally in Catalonia|date=29 October 2017|website=Politico.eu|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
=== Central government ===
In a televised statement, [[Felipe VI of Spain|King Felipe VI]] said the referendum's organisers had jeopardised national stability "with their decisions, they have systematically undermined the rules approved legally and legitimately, showing an unacceptable disloyalty towards the powers of the state—a state that represents Catalan interests."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/03/europe/catalonia-general-strike-protests-barcelona/index.html|title=King of Spain: Catalan leaders were disloyal|author1=Hilary Clarke |author2=Claudia Rebaza |author3=Isa Soares|website=cnn.com|date=3 October 2017}}</ref>
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy claimed that no referendum had been held. He also praised the police for acting with "firmness and serenity."<ref name="guard">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/oct/01/catalan-independence-referendum-spain-catalonia-vote-live|title=Catalonia referendum: 90% voted for independence, say officials&nbsp;– live updates|first1=Graham Russell|last1=(now)|first2=Nicola|last2=Slawson|first3=Patrick Greenfield|last3=(earlier)|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 October 2017|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> Foreign Minister [[Alfonso Dastis]] said the police actions were "unfortunate" and "unpleasant" but "proportionate." He told the ''[[Associated Press]]'', that he blamed the violence exclusively on Puigdemont and his regional government: "if people insist in disregarding the law and doing something that has been consistently declared illegal and unconstitutional, law enforcement officers need to uphold the law."<ref name="star" /> In regards to the [[constitution of Spain|constitution]] MP [[Rafael Hernando]] said: "The [Article] 155 needs wide-ranging backing because we don't know whether it will resolve problems, and if it's only backed by one party in congress then it will be difficult to obtain the backing of a majority of Catalans."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-rajoy-analys/spanish-pm-seeks-safety-in-numbers-before-playing-catalonia-trump-card-idUSKBN1C92K7|title=Spanish PM seeks safety in numbers before playing Catalonia trump card|date=4 October 2017|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Toyer|first1=Julien}}</ref>
[[PSOE]]'s General Secretary [[Pedro Sánchez (Spanish politician)|Pedro Sánchez]] said that the vote "has perverted the concept of democracy" and urged central government to begin negotiations with the regional Catalan leaders. He also blamed the "serious institutional crisis" on both the central government and the regional Catalan government. He further condemned Rajoy's cabinet for ordering the police charges against voters to halt the suspended referendum, but added that he would stand by Rajoy in order to support the stability of Spain in a moment of deep crisis. He then added that the vote "consecrates the Catalan government's flight forward, creating solely division and not providing any solution."<ref name="star" />
=== Economy ===
The following day the Madrid-based [[IBEX 35|Ibex]] fell by over one percent, despite regional and global markets rising.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/10/02/catalonia-chaos-sinks-euro-ftse-100-lifted-rebounding-chinese/|title=Catalonia chaos sinks the euro; easyJet and Ryanair shares climb following Monarch collapse|first=Tom|last=Rees|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=2 October 2017|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The [[Euro]] also fell.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/catalan-independence-catalonia-spain-euro-market-reaction-2017-10|title=Euro drops after Catalan leader says the region has 'won the right' to independence|first=Will|last=Martin|date=2 October 2017|website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> On 4 October, after announcing its relocation to Madrid, Catalan enterprise Oryzon rose over a 20% in the [[Madrid Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20171004/431786356911/oryzon-sede-barcelona-madrid.html|publisher=[[La Vanguardia]]|date=4 October 2017|access-date=5 September 2017|language=es|title=Oryzon se dispara un 20% en bolsa tras anunciar su cambio de sede de Catalunya a Madrid}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasexta.com/noticias/nacional/la-biofarmaceutica-oryzon-sube-mas-de-un-20-en-bolsa-tras-anunciar-que-traslada-su-sede-de-cataluna-a-madrid_2017100459d4b67a0cf210d9a8ba2e34.html|publisher=[[laSexta]]|date=4 October 2017|access-date=5 September 2017|language=es|title=La biofarmacéutica Oryzon sube más de un 20% en bolsa tras anunciar que traslada su sede de Cataluña a Madrid}}</ref> One day later, [[Banco Sabadell]] agreed to move their headquarters to [[Alicante]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antena3.com/noticias/economia/banco-sabadell-decidira-esta-tarde-traslada-sede-madrid-alicante-gijon_2017100559d5fa1f0cf2304a273bb883.html|publisher=[[Antena 3 (Spain)|Antena 3]]|language=es|date=5 October 2017|access-date=5 October 2017|title=El Banco Sabadell se reúne esta tarde para aprobar el cambio de su sede fuera de Cataluña}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.larazon.es/economia/el-consejo-de-sabadell-se-reune-esta-tarde-para-aprobar-el-cambio-de-su-sede-social-PH16440348|publisher=[[La Razón (Madrid)|La Razón]]|date=5 October 2017|access-date=5 October 2017|title=El Banco Sabadell traslada su sede social a Alicante y se dispara en bolsa}}</ref>
In successive days, [[La Caixa]] moved to [[Valencia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalonia-independence-referendum-latest-caxiabank-spains-third-largest-bank-to-leave-a7987281.html|publisher=Independent|title=Catalonia independence referendum: Spain's third largest bank CaixaBank to move its headquarters from Catalonia|date=6 October 2017|access-date=10 October 2017}}</ref> and other enterprises left Catalonia, many of them helped by a decree of the Spanish government for easing the relocation of their registration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/spain-catalonia-companies-1.4343429|publisher=CBC|date=6 October 2017|access-date=10 October 2017|title=Spain moves to ease exit of companies out of Catalonia}}</ref> As of 10 October, 28 enterprises, including six of the seven Catalan enterprises that make up the index, left the region and six more companies reported it would do so if the independence of Catalonia is declared by a [[Unilateral declaration of independence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elpais.com/economia/2017/10/09/actualidad/1507570625_950581.html|publisher=[[El País]]|date=10 October 2017|access-date=10 October 2017|language=es|title=Estas son todas las empresas que se van de Cataluña}}</ref>
As of 18 October, this number increased to 805, including companies like [[Codorníu Winery]], established in 1551, which moved to [[La Rioja (Spain)|La Rioja]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elmundo.es/economia/2017/10/18/59e665fbe5fdead35f8b4684.html|title=El número de empresas que salen de Cataluña sube a 805 tras otras 105 fugas en un día|publisher=El Mundo|date=18 October 2017|access-date=19 October 2017|language=es}}</ref> or the airline [[Volotea]], that relocated their headquarters in [[Asturias]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elcomercio.es/asturias/volotea-traslada-sede-20171019184713-nt.html|publisher=[[El Comercio (Spain)|El Comercio]]|language=es|date=19 October 2017|access-date=19 October 2017|title=Volotea traslada su sede social a Asturias}}</ref>
=== Sport ===
[[FC Barcelona]] played their weekend [[La Liga]] match against [[UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas]] [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]], partially due to safety purposes, as well as in protest. During [[Spain national football team]]'s training session on 2 October 2017, Piqué was the target of insults by many Spanish fans, due to his comments after Barcelona's 3–0 win over Las Palmas. The session had to be ended after just 23 minutes due to this.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pique-ahole-leave-national-team-11276884|title="Pique, a***hole, leave" - Spain fans fire shocking insults at Barcelona star|last=Richards|first=Alex|date=2017-10-03|work=mirror|access-date=2017-10-03}}</ref> Barcelona captain [[Andrés Iniesta]] urged dialogue to resolve the situation. He wrote on [[Facebook]]: "I have never before publicly commented on situations that are so complex and involve such diverse emotions, but this situation we are experiencing is exceptional, one thing I know for sure: before we do any more harm, those who are responsible for all this must hold dialogue. Do it for all of us. We deserve to live in peace".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/catalonia-referendum-fc-barcelona-andres-iniesta-insist-dialogue-the-only-way-to-end-volatile-crisis-4116159.html|title=Catalonia referendum: FC Barcelona, Andres Iniesta insist dialogue the only way to end volatile crisis|date=2017-10-06|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-10-07|language=en-US}}</ref>
== International ==
=== Supranational bodies ===
*{{flagicon|Council of Europe}} [[Council of Europe]] - Vice-President [[Roger Gale]] of the Parliamentary Assembly declared said: "It is with deep regret that I have seen the incidents of violence that have occurred in Catalonia today. I call on all sides to exercise restraint and self-discipline and to work to restore calm and reestablish dialogue."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/News/News-View-en.asp?newsid=6796&lang=2|title=PACE: News|website=assembly.coe.int}}</ref>
**[[Venice Commission]] – The Commission{{who|date=October 2017}} said the vote "does not meet" the commission's standards for a fair referendum, as it is not recognised by the Spanish government or its constitution. Secretary General [[Thomas Markert]] did make the point of referencing the 2014 Scottish referendum, highlighting it as an example of a fair, legally-approved vote as it gained the support of the U.K. government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/world/862293/catalonia-referendum-independence-european-union-eu/amp|title=Catalonia referendum
|website=express.co.uk}} {{dead link|date=June 2023}}</ref>
*[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE) – The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) told ''[[TASS]]'' on 2 October that it would not comment on the vote because it had no observers present. Earlier, the OSCE office's director called on Spanish authorities to "ensure that police use force only when necessary and in strict adherence to the principle of proportionality."<ref name="rferl.org">{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-catalonia-referendum-reaction-violence-hypocrisy-crimea-kosovo/28769842.html|title=Violence, 'Hypocrisy' In Catalonia: Russia Reacts To Spanish Turmoil|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=2 October 2017 |last1=Balmforth |first1=Tom }}</ref>
*{{flagicon|United Nations}} [[United Nations]] - Secretary-General [[António Guterres]] "trusts that the democratic institutions of Spain will find a solution" to the crisis between Catalan separatists and the national government."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/10/02/latest-german-politician-condemns-spain-police-violence.html|title=The Latest: UN chief hopes sides will solve Catalan crisis|date=2 October 2017|website=foxbusiness.com}}</ref>
**High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince [[Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein]] voiced concern at the violence in saying police responses needed to be "at all times ...proportionate and necessary. I firmly believe that the current situation should be resolved through political dialogue, with full respect for democratic freedoms."<ref>[https://www.reuters.co.uk/amp/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN1C71CN Reuters] {{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
**On 7 March 2018 the High Commissioner for Human Rights said "''I was dismayed by the violence which broke out during October's referendum on independence in Catalonia. Given what appeared to be excessive use of force by police, the Government's characterization of police action on 1 October as "legal, legitimate and necessary" is questionable''".<ref>{{cite news |title=High Commissioner's global update of human rights concerns |url=http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22772&LangID=E |work=OHCHR |date=2018-03-07 |access-date=2018-03-08 }}</ref>
==== European Union ====
The [[European Commission]] suggested that the Catalan independence referendum was "not legal" under Spanish law. It described the vote as an "internal matter" and suggested it would not heed calls to intervene. A spokesperson [[Margaritis Schinas]] said: "This is an internal matter for Spain that has to be dealt with in line with the constitutional order of Spain."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalan-independence-referendum-not-legal-spanish-constitution-european-commission-juncker-spain-law-a7978386.html|title=The EU Commission just said the Catalan referendum was illegal|date=2 October 2017|website=independent.co.uk}}</ref> It issued a statement that read: "We call on all relevant players to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue. Violence can never be an instrument in politics. We trust the leadership of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to manage this difficult process in full respect of the Spanish Constitution and of the fundamental rights of citizens enshrined therein. Beyond purely legal aspects, the Commission believes that these are times for unity and stability, not divisiveness and fragmentation."
President [[Donald Tusk]] later announced on Twitter that he had spoken with Rajoy and had called for a bid to find ways "to avoid further escalation and use of force."<ref name="dw">{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/catalonia-referendum-violence-prompts-european-reaction/a-40772750|title=Catalonia referendum violence prompts European reaction - News - DW - 02.10.2017|website=DW.COM}}</ref> President of the European Parliament [[Antonio Tajani]] confirmed a debate. He wrote on Twitter: "I spoke to Mariano Rajoy. The European Parliament will debate on constitution, rule of law and fundamental rights in Spain in light of the events in Catalonia.".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/862249/catalonia-independence-italy-lombardy-venice-referendum|title=Italy facing its OWN Catalonia: Referendums in Lombardy and Venice could TOPPLE EU|first=Joey|last=Millar|date=5 October 2017|website=express.co.uk}}</ref>
The Vice President of the [[European Parliament]], [[Ramón Luis Valcárcel]], described the referendum as "a coup against Europe" in a statement that read: "Today we have witnessed a nationalistic propaganda act, undemocratic; a coup attempt against Spanish democracy, and so a coup against Europe. We are witnessing the first coup against democracy in the history of the European Union. A regional government is angling, in a unilateral, illegal and democratically deplorable manner, to secede from a member state. And {{sic}} in so doing, it is violating the fundamental rights of millions of citizens. Spain is an integral part of the EU, which respects and safeguards the national identities and constitutional structure of its member states. An attack on the constitution of one member state is therefore also an attack on the Union as a whole."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/10/02/catalonia-referendum-was-coup-against-europe-says-eu-parliament-vice-president-6970344/?ito=cbshare|title=Catalonia referendum a 'coup against Europe', says EU Parliament vice president|date=2 October 2017|website=metro.co.uk}}</ref><ref>https://www.theguardian.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/30/spanish-ambassador-to-uk-calls-catalan-referendum-a-coup-detat {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>  The coup d'état claim was also shared by both Spanish MEP [[Carlos Iturgaiz]] and Ambassador to the UK [[Carlos Bastarreche]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/862776/spain-catalonia-news-independence-map-bbc-referendum-eu-catalan-barcelona-strasbourg|title=Catalonia CHAOS in Strasbourg as Spanish MEP rages at Catalan flags in EU Parliament|first=Chris|last=Campbell|date=6 October 2017|website=express.co.uk}}</ref>
European Commission First Vice President [[Frans Timmermans]] told the European Parliament: "It is a duty for any government to uphold the rule of law, and this sometimes requires the proportionate use of force. Respect for the rule of law is not optional; it's fundamental."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-04/eu-defends-spain-s-right-to-use-proportionate-force|title=EU Defends Spain's Right to Use 'Proportionate' Force|newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=4 October 2017 |via=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref>
The Budget Commissioner [[Gunther Oettinger]] said "that the situation is very, very disturbing. A [[civil war]] is planned in the middle of Europe. One can only hope that a conversation will be made between Madrid and Barcelona soon." He added that the EU could only mediate talks "if asked."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/05/catalonia-civil-war-warning-independence-declaration-fears-grow/|title=Catalonia 'civil war' warning as independence declaration fears grow|first1=Hannah|last1=Strange|first2=James|last2=Badcock|first3=James|last3=Crisp|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=5 October 2017|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
===== MEPs =====
Spokesman for the [[European People's Party]] which is the largest group inside the European Parliament, said: "Someone needs to tell the Catalan people the truth. If you contest the law to abandon Spain you also need to know that you abandon the EU."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/862719/Catalonia-independence-Barcelona-Spain-European-Union-EU-BBC|title=Catalonia independence: 'Shame on the EU!' Bloc CONDEMNED for failing to criticise Spain|first=Joe|last=Barnes|date=5 October 2017|website=express.co.uk}}</ref>
*The Leader of the [[Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group]] and Belgian MEP [[Guy Verhofstadt]], who leads the EU-Brexit negotiations, called for de-escalation and a negotiated solution to the conflict. "In the European Union we try to find solutions through political dialogue and with respect for the constitutional order."<ref name="amp.co.uk">[https://www.amp.co.uk/amp/amp.dw.com/en/catalonia-referendum-violence-prompts-european-reaction/a-40772750 Catalonia referendum violence prompts European reaction] {{dead link|date=June 2023}}</ref>
*The Chair of [[Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy]] and British MEP [[Nigel Farage]] expressed his opinion in the European Parliament in saying: "Whether or not it was legal nationally for people in Catalonia to have a vote, surely people are allowed to express an opinion. We saw women being dragged out of polling stations by their hair, old ladies with gashes in their forehead. The most extraordinary display and what do we get from Mr. Juncker today? Not a dickie-bird. In fact previously we had that the rule of law must be maintained and I think it is quite extraordinary to realise that this union is prepared to turn a blind eye."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/861793/catalonia-referendum-eu-nigel-farage-independence-spain-police-violence-barcelona|title=EU must condemn Catalonia violence! Farage rages at Brussels silence after chaos in Spain|first=Will|last=Kirby|date=3 October 2017|website=express.co.uk}}</ref>
*German and Vice President of the [[Greens–European Free Alliance]] MEP [[Ska Keller]] said that "the Commission could act as an "honest broker" to promote compromise. "It is wrong if the Commission shies away and continues to turn a blind eye."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-timmermans/its-time-to-talk-eu-again-urges-dialogue-in-spain-idUSKBN1C91VA|title='It's time to talk': EU again urges dialogue in Spain|date=4 October 2017|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Reilhac|first1=Gilbert}}</ref>
*Estonian MEP [[Urmas Paet]] issued a statement that read: "I would expect a clear stance from Estonia as the EU presidency concerning yesterday's police violence in Catalonia. In fact, I would have expected it yesterday already. Yet both the prime minister and the foreign minister remain silent. Why [is] the role of [the] EU presidency for Estonia if we are trying to avoid a stance on a matter so important? The position of [the] EU presidency entails responsibility in addition to honor."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.err.ee/633736/mep-expects-clear-reaction-from-estonian-government-on-events-in-catalonia|title=MEP expects clear reaction from Estonian government on events in Catalonia|last=ERR|date=2 October 2017|website=err.ee}}</ref>
*Czech MEP [[Pavel Svoboda]] said the actions of the Spanish government were deplorable and would only make more people embrace the separatist cause.<ref name="radio.cz">{{cite web|url=http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-politicians-denounce-use-of-violence-against-voters-in-catalonias-independence-referendum|title=Czech politicians denounce use of violence against voters in Catalonia's independence referendum - Radio Prague|website=radio.cz|date=2 October 2017}}</ref>
*[[Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia]] and Crezh MEP [[Kateřina Konečná]] pointed out that the violence accompanying the referendum was likely to fuel opposition to the Spanish government and anger extremists, as well as normal citizens who may previously not have had a strong opinion on the matter, producing a strong backlash and the exact opposite of what the government intended. She said the Spanish government should look to the UK and the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish independence referendum]] for a lesson on how such things should best be handled.<ref name="radio.cz"/>
*German MEP [[Manfred Weber]] said: "If Catalonia leaves Spain that also means 'leaving the European Union.'"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/10/05/catalonia-brexit-intv-amanpour-nima-elbagir-manfred-weber.cnn/video/playlists/amanpour/|title=German MEP: Catalonia out of EU if it leaves Spain - CNN Video|website=cnn.com|date=5 October 2017 }}</ref>
*[[Philippe Lamberts]], a Belgian MEP who co-leads the Greens group in the European Parliament, warns that events in Catalonia "threaten the spirit of European integration, even more than Brexit."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bing.com/search?q=Philippe+Lamberts,+a+Belgian+politician+who+co-leads+the+Greens+group+in+the+European+Parliament,+warns+that+events+in+Catalonia+%E2%80%9Cthreaten+the+spirit+of+European+integration,+even+more+than+Brexit%E2%80%9D&src=IE-TopResult&FORM=IETR02&conversationid=|title=Philippe Lamberts, a Belgian politician who co-leads the Greens group in the European Parliament, warns that events in Catalonia "threaten the spirit of European integration, even more than Brexit" - Bing|website=www.bing.com}}</ref>
=== Countries ===
* {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia]] - [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]] [[Malcolm Turnbull]] referred to the referendum as "unauthorised" during a press conference with [[Minister of Foreign Affairs|Foreign Affairs Minister]] [[Julie Bishop]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release/transcript-41528|title=Press Conference with the Minister for Foreign Affairs|quote=Last year's presidential elections in France, Catalonia's unauthorised referendum in Spain and in the United States, one of the oldest and certainly the most formidable democracy in the world, debate is raging about whether Russian intelligence operations may have tipped the presidential election.|date=27 March 2018}}</ref>
* {{flag|Azerbaijan}} - The Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev said: "The Republic of Azerbaijan respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Spain within its internationally recognised borders. We are looking forward to settlement of existing situation by peaceful means on the basis of the Constitution and laws of Spain."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.azvision.az/news.php?lang=en&id=72798|title = Bu sürücülər sərt cərimələnəcək}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Belgium]]&nbsp;– Prime Minister [[Charles Michel]] condemned the unfolding violence and called for political dialogue between the two sides.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/01/eu-crisis-catalonian-referendum-descends-violence/ |title= Catalonian referendum violence plunges EU into crisis as '90% of voters back independence' |work= Telegraph |date=1 October 2017 |author= Hannah Strange, James Badcock}}</ref> He also wrote: "Violence can never be the answer!"<ref name="guard2">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/02/ripples-from-catalan-referendum-could-extend-beyond-spain|title=Ripples from Catalan referendum could extend beyond Spain|first=Simon|last=Tisdall|date=2 October 2017|website=The Guardian}}</ref>
* {{flag|Botswana}} – In a statement via [[Facebook]], the Government of Botswana condemned and regretted "the illegal signing of a unilateral declaration of independence" of Catalonia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/posts/1466675796748407|publisher=Botswana Government on Facebook|date=11 October 2017|access-date=14 October 2017|title=BOTSWANA CONDEMNS THE UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE BY CATALONIA}}</ref>
* {{flag|Canada}}&nbsp;– Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] expressed support for "One united Spain",<ref>{{Cite news|title=Catalonia independence: Trudeau says Canada recognizes one united Spain|language=en-CA|work=nationalpost|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/trudeau-in-quebec-today-for-pitfield-funeral-and-canada-child-benefit-announcement|access-date=2021-11-08}}</ref> adding that "We understand there are significant internal discussions that they are going through right now and we simply call for those discussions to be done according to the rule of law, according to the Spanish constitution, according to the principles of international law. But mostly that those conversations and discussions happen in a peaceful, non-violent way."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/10/27/amid-catalonia-crisis-trudeau-says-canada-recognizes-united-spain_a_23258697/|title=Trudeau Says Canada Supports United Spain Amid Catalonia Crisis|date=27 October 2017|website=huffingtonpost.ca}}</ref>
** {{flagicon|Québec}} [[Québec]]&nbsp;– Premier [[Philippe Couillard]] wrote on [[Twitter]]: "Québec condemns all forms of violence. The answer: dialogue between [both] sides."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/phcouillard/status/914510396387725313|title=#Catalogne: nous suivons la situation de près. #Québec condamne toute forme de violence. La réponse: le dialogue entre les parties.|last=Couillard|first=Philippe|date=October 1, 2017|website=Twitter}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-catalan-violence-1.4315719|title=Quebec Reacts to Violence During Catalan Independence Vote|date=October 1, 2017|website=CBC News}}</ref> [[Parti Québécois]] leader [[Jean-François Lisée]] wrote on Twitter: "I salute the Catalan people who are standing in front of the unworthy and disgraceful violence of the Spanish state"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JFLisee/status/914528284565794817|title=Je salue le peuple catalan qui se tient debout devant l'indigne et honteuse violence de l'État espagnol #ReferendumCatalogne|last=Lisée|first=Jean-François|date=October 1, 2017|website=Twitter}}</ref> and that this was "[a] dark day for Europe and democracy. All leaders must denounce Spain."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JFLisee/status/914531503169839104|title=Un jour noir pour l'Europe et la démocratie. Tous les dirigeants doivent dénoncer l'Espagne. #CatalanReferendum|last=Lisée|first=Jean-François|date=October 1, 2017|website=Twitter}}</ref> [[Montreal|Montréal]] Mayor [[Denis Coderre]] affirmed his solidarity with his Barcelona counterpart, Ada Colau, by writing on Twitter: "We must condemn all violence and protect democracy."<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DenisCoderre/status/914583417974611969|title=Je suis solidaire de ma collègue et amie @AdaColau. Nous devons condamner toute violence et protéger la démocratie. #Catalogne|last=Coderre|first=Dennis|date=October 1, 2017|website=Twitter}}</ref> Opposition party [[Coalition Avenir Québec]] stated in a press release that it "deplores the use of force and repression by the Spanish state;" it further reaffirmed Catalonia's "right of self[-]determination."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coalitionavenirquebec.org/fr/blog/2017/10/01/referendum-en-catalogne-declaration-de-francois-legault-chef-de-la-coalition-avenir-quebec/|title=Référendum en Calalogne: Déclaration de François Legault, chef de la Coalition Avenir Québec|date=October 1, 2017|website=Coalition Avenir Québec}}</ref>
**On 4 October, the [[National Assembly of Quebec]] unanimously adopted a resolution deploring "the authoritarian attitude of the Spanish government which led to acts of violence" during the referendum as well as "the number of people injured." The resolution further called on Catalonia and Spain to begin a "political and democratic dialogue to peacefully and consensually resolve their differences [...] with international mediation if both parties consent to it." The vote was 113-0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-parlementaires/assemblee-nationale/41-1/journal-debats/20171004/204983.html|title=Journal des débats (Hansard) of the National Assembly - National Assembly of Québec|website=www.assnat.qc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-quebecoise/201710/04/01-5138895-lassemblee-nationale-condamne-lautoritarisme-espagnol.php|title=L'Assemblée nationale condamne l'autoritarisme espagnol - Patrice Bergeron - Politique québécoise|date=4 October 2017|newspaper=La Presse|last1=Bergeron |first1=Patrice }}</ref> Though the resolution was initially proposed by the sovereigntist opposition [[Parti Québécois]], the [[Liberal Party of Quebec|Liberal]] government, which opposes Quebec independence, agreed to support it after the motion was amended so that the call for international mediation was conditioned on both parties accepting it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beta.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1059594/quebec-denonce-violence-espagne-mediation-internationale|title=Québec dénonce la violence espagnole et demande une médiation internationale|first=Zone Politique -|last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca|website=Radio-Canada.ca}}</ref>
* {{flag|Croatia}} - Prime Minister [[Andrej Plenković]] also condemned violence and stressed that Croatia considers this referendum an internal issue of Spain. In an official statement, the [[Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Croatia)|Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs]] called for calming down the situation after the referendum and expressed concern over the violence. He also called on the Spanish and Catalan government's to launch a dialogue on finding a peaceful solution to the problem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vijesti.hrt.hr/408283/plenkovic-o-kataloniji-osuujemo-nasilje|title=Plenković o Kataloniji: Osuđujemo nasilje|website=hrt.hr}}</ref>
*{{flag|Cyprus}} - The Foreign Ministry issued a statement that read Spain's national sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected, arguing that the referendum was carried out "in violation" of the Spanish constitution. "Spain's unity must be upheld as well as its constitutional order...dialogue and restraint are only the way forward."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171003130040/http://amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article176700421.html Miami Herald] </ref>
*{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]: Deputy Prime Minister for Science, Research and Innovation [[Pavel Bělobradek]] said that political issues should not be resolved by force. Defence Minister [[Martin Stropnický]] said that while he was against Catalonia breaking away from Spain, he considered the use of force against civilians a big mistake; he asked "is this really Europe 2017?",<ref name="radio.cz"/> while the Foreign Ministry commented on "improper force" being used and noted the "high number of people injured."<ref name="yahoo.com">{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/world-leaders-urge-dialogue-calm-tensions-over-catalonia-144651805.html|title=World leaders urge dialogue to calm tensions over Catalonia|website=yahoo.com}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Denmark]] - Foreign Minister [[Anders Samuelsen]] said: "I am not in a situation where I must condemn what is happening. I will express my concern, as I should do. I do not like to see images like this in Europe. I think that everyone must by now have learned that dialogue is the way forward. [This is] entirely an internal Spanish matter."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.dk/20171002/danish-foreign-minister-concerned-but-stops-short-of-condemning-catalonia-violence/amp|title=Danish foreign minister 'concerned' but stops short of condemning Catalonia violence|date=2 October 2017|website=thelocal.dk}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|France}} [[France]] - President [[Emmanuel Macron]]'s office issued a statement afterward in support of Spain's "constitutional unity."<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
* {{flag|Germany}} - Interim Foreign Minister [[Sigmar Gabriel]] released a statement, echoing the EU's calls for dialogue, that read: "the images that reached us yesterday from Spain show how important it is to interrupt the spiral of escalation."<ref name="amp.co.uk"/>
**Green party co-leader [[Cem Özdemir]], condemned the force used in writing: "Whether or not the referendum was legitimate, the violence by police against voters was disproportionate and harmful to such an important dialogue."<ref name="dw" />
*{{flag|Greece}}: President [[Prokopis Pavlopoulos]] said, during a visit to Belgrade, speaking of the need to "defend the unity and cohesion of the European Union."<ref name="yahoo.com"/>
*{{flagicon|Holy See}} [[Holy See]] - [[Pope Francis]] said, in a speech to university students during a visit to Bologna, "don't be afraid of unity! May special interests and nationalism not render the courageous dreams of the founders of the European Union in vain." He also recalled that the European Union was borne out of the ashes of war to guarantee peace.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171005153511/http://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/article176435701.html#storylink=cpy The Kansas City Star] </ref>
*{{flag|Hungary}} - Prime Minister [[Viktor Orbán]] said: "The Catal[oni]an referendum is a Spanish internal issue and accordingly Hungary is not commenting on the subject."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kormany.hu/en/the-prime-minister/news/the-catalonian-referendum-is-a-spanish-internal-issue|title=The Catalonian referendum is a Spanish internal issue|website=Government}}</ref>
*{{flag|Indonesia}} - Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Retno Marsudi]] said: "Indonesia does not recognize the unilateral statement of Catalonian independence. Catalonia is an integral part of Spain."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.antaranews.com/berita/661390/indonesia-tidak-akui-kemerdekaan-catalonia|title=Indonesia tidak akui kemerdekaan Catalonia – ANTARA News|work=Antara News|access-date=2017-10-28|language=id-ID}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] - Taoiseach [[Leo Varadkar]] said Ireland respects the courts and constitution of Spain, but criticised the violence. He further added Spain is a "friend and ally" of Ireland and that he was "distressed" by the scenes of violence.
**Leader of [[Sinn Féin]] TD [[Gerry Adams]] welcomed the result of the referendum and said the voice of the Catalan people "must be respected by the Spanish government and the international community."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/leo-varadkar-catalonia-referendum-3625866-Oct2017/|title=Taoiseach says Ireland will not recognise result of Catalan referendum|first=Daragh|last=Brophy|website=thejournal.ie}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Israel}} [[Israel]] - During a press conference, Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'s spokesman [[David Keyes]] directed inquiries on Catalonia to the Foreign Ministry where its spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said: "We see it as an internal Spanish matter."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.jpost.com/Israel-News/Netanyahu-has-no-comment-on-Catalonia-referendum-506478|title=Netanyahu has no comment on Catalonia referendum|website=jpost.com}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]]
** {{flagicon|Sardinia}} [[Sardinia]]: After the actions of the Spanish government against the referendum, the region of Sardinia expressed its support and solidarity to the Catalan community by means of unanimous resolution of the regional council, and offered to the government of Catalonia to print ballots for the referendum and to guard them, rejecting the negative attitude of the Spanish government towards political dialogue.<ref>{{cite news| title=El Gobierno sardo se ofrece a imprimir y custodiar papeletas | publisher=naiz.eus | date=22 September 2017 | access-date=26 September 2017| url=http://www.naiz.eus/eu/actualidad/noticia/20170922/el-gobierno-sardo-se-ofrece-a-imprimir-y-custodiar-papeletas}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/diputats-sards-demanen-al-seu-govern-que-imprimeixin-i-guardin-les-butlletes-pel-referendum-catala/|title=Diputats sards demanen al seu govern que imprimeixi i guardi les butlletes pel referèndum català|website=VilaWeb.cat}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanuovasardegna.it/regione/2017/09/21/news/arresti-contro-il-referendum-popolare-la-sardegna-si-schiera-con-la-catalogna-1.15883740|title=Arresti contro il referendum popolare, la Sardegna si schiera con la Catalogna – Regione – la Nuova Sardegna|date=21 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unionesarda.it/articolo/cronaca/2017/09/22/la_sardegna_sostiene_la_catalogna_il_voto_popolare_non_deve_mai_f-68-647328.html#|title=La Sardegna sostiene la Catalogna: "Il voto popolare non deve mai fare paura" - Cronaca – L'Unione Sarda.it|date=22 September 2017}}</ref> On 25 October, the Sardinian council issued a new resolution condemning the use of violence adopted by the [[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guard]] and expressing the wish that Catalans may pursue a pacific path towards the right to choose any political option, including [[self-determination]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/sardegna/notizie/2017/10/25/catalogna-odg-consiglio-contro-violenze_e78f6bbf-12eb-4cd6-bfc8-879ea267b22f.html |title=Catalogna: odg Consiglio contro violenze |publisher=Ansa.it |date=2017-10-17 |access-date=2017-10-29}}</ref> On 31 October over 100 Sardinian mayors and administrators issued a statement symbolically recognizing Catalonia's independence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagliaripad.it/265635/catalogna-amministratori-sardi-riconoscono-indipendenza|title=Catalogna: amministratori sardi riconoscono indipendenza - Politica - Cagliaripad|agency=Ansa News|date=31 October 2017|website=cagliaripad.it}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sardiniapost.it/politica/catalogna-amministratori-sardi-riconoscono-lindipendenza/|title=Catalogna, amministratori sardi riconoscono "l'indipendenza" - Sardiniapost.it|date=1 November 2017|website=sardiniapost.it}}</ref>
**{{flagicon image|Flag of Veneto.svg}} [[Veneto]] – [[Stefano Valdegamberi]] said his region would support Catalonia during its fight against Madrid's attempts to stop the region from becoming independent. Speaking to ''[[Russia Today|RT]]'' UK, he said: "The Veneto region and the Veneto people are very close to the Catalan people. We want to recognise that the will of Catalans is the most important thing for the international community. Spain recognises other countries like Montenegro but they don't accept something similar for themselves. They demonstrated they are not a democratic government."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/862185/Catalonia-spain-independence-catalunya-catalan-referendum-Italy-Veneto-video|title=Catalonia referendum: Venetian MP pledges support after 'UNDEMOCRATIC' vote crackdown|first=Aurora|last=Bosotti|date=4 October 2017|website=express.co.uk}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Japan]] - The [[Japanese Foreign Ministry|Foreign Ministry]] issued a statement that read they are not taking any sides in the referendum as is an internal issue. No significant effects to tourism between the Catalonia region and Japan was reported.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Osumi|first1=Magdalena|title=Tokyo silent as Catalonia moves toward independence from Spain|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/10/02/national/tokyo-silent-as-catalonia-moves-toward-independence-from-spain/#.WdONUVuCzIU|access-date=3 October 2017|work=The Japan Times|publisher=The Japan Times Ltd.|date=2 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flag|Lithuania}} - The Foreign Ministry issued a statement that read: "The Catalan referendum of 1 October 2017 failed to comply with the Spanish Constitution. Lithuania fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Spain. The rule of law has to be upheld. We call upon parties to engage in a constructive dialogue and calm tensions."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mfa.lt/default/en/news/foreign-ministrys-statement-on-catalonia-referendum|title=Foreign Ministry’s statement on Catalonia referendum &#124; News &#124; Ministry of Foreign Affairs|accessdate=12 June 2023}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Malta}} [[Malta]] - Foreign Minister [[Carmelo Abela]] condemned the violence in Catalonia. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry suggested: "The Ministry for Foreign Affairs & Trade Promotion are closely following the events in Catalonia. We respect the Spanish Constitutional Court's decision that Sunday's vote was not legal, and this is an internal matter for Spain. We condemn violence of any kind, and believe dialogue is always the way forward."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/europe/80994/foreign_ministry_condemns_violence_in_spain_says_it_respects_spanish_courts_decision_#.WdaWi0HTXYU|title=Carmelo Abela condemns violence in Spain, but Malta will respect court's decision|website=maltatoday.com.mt}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico]] - [[Secretary of Foreign Affairs (Mexico)|Secretary of Foreign Affairs]] [[Luis Videgaray Caso|Luis Videgaray]] said that "if Catalonia goes for becoming independent from Spain, the Government of Mexico will not recognise it as a sovereign state."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2017/10/10/mexico/1507667330_335971.html|newspaper=[[El País]]|language=es|date=10 October 2017|access-date=10 October 2017|title=México anuncia que no reconocerá a una Cataluña independiente|trans-title=Mexico announces that will not recognise an independent Catalonia|last1=García|first1=Jacobo}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand]]
** A joke account of [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] [[Jacinda Ardern]]'s cat, [[Paddles (cat)|Paddles]], tweeted "I think they need more cats and the cats they do have need more pats. That would solve a lot." after being asked "What are your thoughts on the current situation in #CATalonia? {{sic}}".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/the-first-cat-of-new-zealand-is-a-hit-on-twitter.html|title=The 'First Cat of New Zealand' is a hit on Twitter|accessdate=12 June 2023|via=www.newshub.co.nz}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Poland]] - The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Poland)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] published a statement fully respecting "the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Kingdom of Spain."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfa.gov.pl/en/news/mfa_statement_on_developments_in_catalonia;jsessionid=F1C5BF255F9D91EE7C9EFB5D1D1F67E2.cmsap1p|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affaires of Poland|title=MFA statement on developments in Catalonia|date=2 October 2017|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref>
**{{flag|Silesia}} - The Movement for the Autonomy of Slask (RAS) said that the events in Catalonia were proof of the temptation to use repression to control political dissent. "The European community should work out rules and procedures for solving similar conflicts. It's indifference with respect to the forceful repression of aspirations of Catalan people for self-rule will be interpreted as a sign of weakness and will deepen the confidence crisis that many Europeans feel towards EU institutions."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1362024|title=Catalan standoff touches hearts beyond Spain|first1=Elisabeth|last1=O'Leary |first2=Leah|last2=Schnurr|date=6 October 2017|website=dawn.com}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal]] - Foreign Minister [[Augusto Santos Silva]] declined to comment on the referendum, but he believes the Spanish government will be able to resolve the issue in agreement with the Spanish constitution and law. Silva added that this is an internal affair of Spain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/pais/2017-09-27-Ministro-acredita-que-Espanha-sabera-resolver-questao-do-referendo-na-Catalunha |title=Ministro acredita que Espanha saberá resolver questão do referendo na Catalunha |publisher=[[Sociedade Independente de Comunicação|SIC]] |date=27 September 2017 |access-date=28 September 2017 |archive-date=29 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000611/http://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/pais/2017-09-27-Ministro-acredita-que-Espanha-sabera-resolver-questao-do-referendo-na-Catalunha |url-status=dead }}</ref>
**In a manifesto signed by almost a hundred people, academics, deputies, journalists, doctors, journalists and notably by the former [[Socialist Party (Portugal)|Socialist]] presidential candidate [[Manuel Alegre]] and the former leader of the [[Left Bloc (Portugal)|Left Bloc]] [[Francisco Louçã]] appealed to a "negotiated political solution" to the political situation in Catalonia, considering themselves "outraged" by the civil rights abuses committed by the Spanish government.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.dn.pt/portugal/interior/catalunha-personalidades-portuguesas-lancam-manifesto-por-uma-solucao-politica-negociada-8818098.html |title=Personalidades portuguesas lançam manifesto por uma "solução política negociada" |work=[[Diário de Notícias]] |date=3 October 2017|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]] - President [[Vladimir Putin]] said that Russia regards the Catalonia conflict as a "domestic affair." He also hoped the country could overcome the crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/10/05/cata-o05.html|title=Spanish government sends troops to Catalonia|first=Paul|last=Mitchell|website=wsws.org}}</ref>
**The Head of the International Affairs committee at Russia's upper house [[Konstantin Kosachev]] called on the Spain government to lead dialogue with Catalans. Otherwise, he argued, their contradictions would only deepen, which could end with the breakup of the state, as in [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|Ukraine]]. This polling, like the earlier [[2017 Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum|polling in Iraqi Kurdistan]], "is another clear and evident clash of the basic principles the humanity follows: the territorial integrity and the right to self-determination. A state should be talking to its citizens, should reach accord. Like we are doing in Russia."<ref>{{cite news|title=Spanish authorities should begin dialogue with Catalans – Russian senator|url=http://tass.com/politics/968316|work=TASS|date=1 October 2017}}</ref>
**Chair of the Federation Council's Committee on Information Policy [[Aleksei Pushkov]] wrote on Twitter: "In Catalonia the police [have] started beating the peacefully protesting people who are not making provocations. [[Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe|PACE]] and the PA OSCE will definitely not notice this. Democracy!"<ref name="rferl.org"/>
**Writing on [[Facebook]], former MP [[Sergei Markov]] wrote that Moscow was taking a "very cautious" approach. He also noted that interfering would be "counterproductive" and wanted to avoid allegations of interference, in part hoping such behavior would be noted by the European Union. He added: "The allegations in the U.S. are more than enough. Russia is literally being hounded." Russia wants to "underline that the European Union has no moral right to lecture Russia." He added that Russia also had no particular "compassion" for Madrid, which it sees as part of the "front of Western powers pressuring Russia with sanctions. So Russia for the moment is silent, and Russian television stations are focusing on the violence in Catalonia."<ref name="rferl.org"/>
* {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Serbia]] - Foreign Minister [[Ivica Dacic]] supported Spain, saying: "Our position is clear and principled, Spain is one of the greatest friends of Serbia...[in] the same position on the issue of the territorial integrity of Serbia."<ref name="dw" />
* {{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Slovenia]] – Prime Minister Miro Cerar was "concerned".<ref name="bbcaft">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41464712|title=EU looks away as Catalan crisis unfolds|first=James|last=Landale|work=BBC News|date=2 October 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]] – The Foreign Office was prepared to mediate in the stalemate.<ref name="thelocalch">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20171006/swiss-foreign-office-apparently-prepared-to-mediate-in-spanish-catalan-stalemate|title=Swiss foreign office apparently prepared to mediate in Spanish-Catalan stalemate|date=6 October 2017|website=thelocal.ch}}</ref>
* {{flag|Turkey}}&nbsp;– The Foreign Minister issued a statement on 3 October reading: "Ankara prioritises the territorial integrity of Spain." It further noted Turkey closely follows the "referendum initiative." It further warned against the violence used by Spanish police against voters. "During this process it is important to respect Spain's laws and avoid violence, the ministry said. We believe that Spain, which we have a history of [[Spain-Turkey relations|close friendship and alliance relations]], will overcome such tests and establish a national dialogue environment in the best way with a democratic approach."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-respects-spains-territorial-integrity-foreign-ministry-120274|title=Turkey respects Spain's territorial integrity: Foreign ministry|website=Hürriyet Daily News}}</ref>
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}&nbsp;– Foreign Secretary [[Boris Johnson]] said the issue was a matter for the Spanish government and people and that it was important the Spanish constitution be respected and the rule of law upheld.<ref name="dw" /> A statement from the Foreign Office had earlier read: "The referendum is a matter for the Spanish government and people. We want to see Spanish law and the Spanish constitution respected and the rule of law upheld. Spain is a close ally and a good friend, whose strength and unity matters to us."<ref name=Independent>{{cite news|last1=Mortimer|first1=Caroline|title=Catalan referendum: Jeremy Corbyn urges Theresa May to intervene 'to find political solution to the crisis'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/catalonia-independence-referendum-jeremy-corbyn-theresa-may-violence-intervention-mariano-rajoy-a7976976.html|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Independent|date=1 October 2017}}</ref>
**{{flag|Scotland}}&nbsp;– First Minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] called the U.K. Foreign Office's statement "shamefully weak."<ref name="guard" /> She added that "regardless of [one's] views on independence, we should all condemn the scenes being witnessed."
**{{flag|Wales}}&nbsp;– First Minister [[Carwyn Jones]] stated his condemnation on Twitter by writing: "Horrific scenes on the streets of #Catalonia today. When violence replaces democracy and dialogue there are no winners."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41461667|title=Jones: 'No winners' of Catalonia clashes|work=BBC News|date=1 October 2017}}</ref>
**[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] MP [[Peter Bone]] said: "If this has been a region of Russia they would have been jumping up and screaming at the Russians for being anti-democratic and how outrageous it was and dictatorial. I haven't heard a peep out of them. It does seem a very strange state of affairs. It's double standards, I'm afraid."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/861909/Catalonia-Independence-Brexit-Peter-Bone-Conservative-Party-Conference|title=Catalonia Independence: Brexiteer Peter Bone lashes EU's silence on brutal crackdown|first=Joe Barnes And Caitlin Collins In Manchester, Albert|last=Evans|date=4 October 2017|website=express.co.uk}}</ref>
**[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] leader and [[Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom)|Leader of the Opposition]] [[Jeremy Corbyn]] asked [[Theresa May]] to intervene "to find political solution to the crisis".
**[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] leader [[Vince Cable]] urged Boris Johnson to make clear that the violence against voters was unacceptable.<ref name=Independent /> [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] ex-MP for Cambridge [[Julian Huppert]] tweeted: "Madrid has dealt with this whole thing atrociously. There is no excuse for police brutality!".
**[[UKIP]] newly elected leader [[Henry Bolton (British politician)|Henry Bolton]] gave a suggestion for mediation and wrote on Twitter: "Catalonia has requested international mediation, I suggest @osce_odihr based in Warsaw would be ideal."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/_HenryBolton/status/914875802260529152|title=Twitter|website=mobile.twitter.com}}</ref>
**[[British Overseas Territories]]
***{{flag|Gibraltar}}&nbsp;– Chief Minister [[Fabian Picardo]] said: "I am very concerned to see violence in the streets of our neighbouring nation. The claim by Spain to the land that I call my home is anachronistic and remnant of a bygone era. But anyone who visits Gibraltar realizes it is far from anachronistic – it is modern, it is digital, it is thrusting and it is prosperous."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-gibraltar/gibraltar-very-concerned-by-violence-in-catalonia-chief-minister-says-idUSKCN1C61S1|title=Gibraltar very concerned by violence in Catalonia, chief minister says|date=1 October 2017|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref>
* {{flag|Venezuela}}&nbsp;– President [[Nicolás Maduro]] criticized the Spanish police response to the referendum.<ref name="re12" /> In a televised statement, Maduro said "our hand goes out to the people of Catalonia. Resist, Catalonia! Latin America admires you".<ref name="re12">{{cite news|title=Venezuela blasts Spain's Rajoy over 'repression' in Catalonia|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia-venezuela/venezuela-blasts-spains-rajoy-over-repression-in-catalonia-idUSKCN1C61S9|access-date=October 1, 2017|work=[[Reuters]]|date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>
=== Business ===
[[Moody's Investors Service]] has warned that the increased tensions over Catalonia's push for independence could hurt the country's overall debt worthiness. The agency said the "ratcheting-up of tensions has negative credit implications" that could be worsened if Catalonia's regional government declares independence after claiming victory in the referendum. It added that the probability of Catalan independence remains low, mainly because it remains unclear that a majority of Catalans actually want independence. It expects the sides to negotiate a deal for greater powers for the region. The agency further noted that Catalonia represents about a fifth of Spain's economy, with a high per capita GDP, so independence could seriously affect Spain's public finances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20171003/news/310039976|title=The Latest: Spanish king to address the nation|agency=Associated Press|website=dailyherald.com|date=3 October 2017}}</ref>
[[Fitch Ratings]] announced that it would place Catalonia on "rating watch negative" (RWN) over uncertainties over the region's debt obligations. The rating agency explained that the stand-off with Spanish authorities and the possibility of Catalonia's independence "may lead to unforeseeable events, including a potential disruption of the state liquidity funds to Catalonia." It said however that this was not its "base case scenario" and that it expected that "current tensions will ease" and allow it to "resolve the RWN within the next six months". Another rating agency, S&P, also placed Catalonia on "CreditWatch with negative implications". It said that the "escalation" between Barcelona and Madrid "may damage the coordination and communication between the two governments, which is essential to Catalonia's ability to service its debt on time and in full." However it said it expected to "resolve the CreditWatch within the next three months."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/139308|title=Catalan separatists under pressure from business|website=euobserver.com|date=6 October 2017 }}</ref>
Charles St-Arnaud, an investment strategist at [[Lombard Odier Asset Management]], said: "The answer of politicians is key. The separatist movement has avoided calling independence, so that's putting the market in a wait-and-see mode."<ref name="bloomberg.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-04/with-spain-on-edge-over-catalonia-s-rebellion-investors-are-too|title=Spain's on Edge Over Catalonia's Rebellion — So Are Investors|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=4 October 2017|via=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref> Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group, said: "The resolve of regional officials in Catalonia to announce independence from Spain has caught markets off guard."<ref name="bloomberg.com"/>
President of the [[British Chamber of Commerce]] in Spain Christopher Dottie said that U.K. companies were monitoring events closely because they did not want to embark on new projects without knowing what the future held. They were aware that any separation implied costs and they would opt for whichever involved the least impact.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/06/catalonia-business-independence-spanish-government|title=CaixaBank: Spain's third largest bank joins exodus from Catalonia|first=Stephen|last=Burgen|date=6 October 2017|website=The Guardian}}</ref>
=== Media ===
''[[The Guardian]]'' wrote:
{{blockquote|Rajoy's subsequent choice to employ physical force to impose his will on civilians exercising a basic democratic right carried a chill echo of Spain's past and a dire warning for the future. That is dictatorship. Surely no one believes the cause of Catalan independence will fade away after Sunday's bloody confrontations that left hundreds injured. Rajoy's actions may have ensured, on the contrary, that the campaign enters a new, more radical phase, potentially giving rise to ongoing clashes, reciprocal violence, and copycat protests elsewhere, for example among the left-behind population of economically deprived [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]]. In Spain's Basque country, where Eta separatists waged a decades-long terror campaign that killed more than 800 people and injured thousands, the dream of independence is on ice – but not forgotten. The danger is that a new generation of younger Basques who feel ignored by Madrid, and repelled by what happened in Barcelona, may be tempted to revisit Eta's unilateral 2010 ceasefire and its subsequent disarmament.<ref name="guard2" />}}
The Guardian also added, on 20 October, the article "The Catalan case is persuasive. But that way lies ruin (Natalie Nougayrède),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/oct/20/catalan-case-persuasive-ruin-separatists-nationalism|title=The Catalan case is persuasive. But that way lies ruin - Natalie Nougayrède|first=Natalie|last=Nougayrède|date=20 October 2017|website=The Guardian}}</ref> who stated "...the 1 October referendum was hardly a model of sound, democratic expression. Only a minority of Catalans took part (turnout was 43%), and its organisation ran counter to Catalonia's own legislation. The two laws that led to it were voted through without the two-thirds majority the Catalan charter (the Estatut) requires for such a momentous reform process. Nor was the vote overseen by the regional constitutional court. The Council of Europe, Europe's democracy watchdog, said it did not abide by its fundamental criteria. Reporters without Borders, an organisation that scrutinises freedom of the press, denounced the harassment and intimidation – sometimes physical – of reporters who did not toe the pro-independence line. These points often get drowned out in the romantic wave of commentary that Catalonia and its history can understandably inspire, within and beyond Spain. Catalan radicals have taken to social media to try to raise support across Europe, using English-language videos."
[[BBC]] Diplomatic Correspondent James Landale asked: "How could an EU that opposed independence for, say, the Kurds or Crimea suddenly decide to welcome it for the Catalans? The EU would find it hard to back a vote for self-determination that had been so clearly ruled illegal by a country's constitutional court."<ref name="bbcaft" /> [[Deutsche Welle]] drew parallels between Catalonia and European [[separatism|separatist]] movements in the Basque country, Scotland, [[Flanders]], [[Padania]], [[South Tyrol]], and [[Corsica]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.com/en/beyond-catalonia-separatist-movements-in-western-europe/a-40761144 |date=2017-09-30 |author= Sabrina Müller-Plotnikow |title=Beyond Catalonia: Separatist movements in Western Europe |newspaper=DW}}</ref>
The ''[[New York Times]]'' criticised both Rajoy and Puigdemont for their belligerency. It added "[I]n European sovereignty, not in more national flags, lies the bright future of every European of good will."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/opinion/catalonia-spain-referendum.html|title=Opinion - Damage to Catalonia|first=Roger|last=Cohen|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 October 2017}}</ref>
''[[CNN]]'' mentioned the violence as "terrifying, but it can and should be a lesson for the world about the importance of upholding the spirit of democracy and the protection of human rights." It concluded: "But {{sic}} the United Nations at large can do more. Through official means, it should send a message to any actors who instigate, dictate, justify and/or perpetrate violations of fundamental rights. It should also advise that all concerned parties put human rights, accountability and the protection of civilians at the center of political negotiations and peace processes. Let's hope our institutions -- national, regional and global -- pass the test of protecting democratic values in Catalonia."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/04/opinions/catalonia-independence-opinion-vinolas/index.html|title=Catalonia crisis: Outside groups need to step in before it's too late|first=Gloria P.|last=Viñolas|website=cnn.com}}</ref>
The [[Africa Confidential]] wrote: "Religion, poverty and oil exacerbate ethnic and tribal divisions in Nigeria, which is why people in its southern region once known as the self-declared Republic of [[Biafra]] have a keen eye on Catalonian secessionists." It added that "...There is a nightmare scenario under which south-east secessionists link up with Niger Delta militants and try to stall the economy. Some officials speculate about the risks of militants from the Delta and the south-east teaming up with campaigners from Anglophone south-west Cameroon who are demanding an independent state, known as [[Ambazonia]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barrons.com/articles/catalan-secession-vote-nigeria-nightmares-1507229491|title=Catalan Secession Vote, Nigeria Nightmares?|first=Dimitra|last=DeFotis|website=barrons.com}}</ref>
=== Individuals ===
On 2 September, following violent police clashes, co-founder of Wikipedia [[Jimmy Wales]] wrote on Twitter: "Without any reservations I condemn the violence against peaceful voters in the Catalan referendum."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jimmy_wales/status/914779999852466176|title=Without any reservations I condemn the violence against peaceful voters in the Catalan referendum.|first=Jimmy|last=Wales|website=twitter.com}}</ref>
Dr Marina Bock, a lecturer in civil engineering at the [[University of Wolverhampton]] who was born in Barcelona and studied at the city's [[Polytechnic University of Catalonia]], said: "I was born in the city of Barcelona in Catalonia where I spent almost 30 years of my life before moving to the U.K. a few years ago. My feelings are hard to describe but I would say they are a combination of sadness and anger. I don't consider myself a strong Catalan nationalist but would strongly defend my language, culture, traditions and people which the Spanish government seems not to have been respecting as they should, especially since Mariano Rajoy['s] party came back into [the] government in 2011 with an unduly anti-Catalanism approach. For instance, imposing Spanish as a main language in schools as they believe Catalans are able to speak Catalan only. As a person educated in Barcelona, I absolutely have no problems communicating in both Spanish and Catalan. Neither do most of the educated Catalan population."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/voices/opinions/2017/10/04/catalonia-referendum-sadness-and-anger-as-police-strike-my-people-says-barcelona-born-lecturer/|title=Catalonia referendum: Sadness and anger as police strike my people says Barcelona-born lecturer|website=www.expressandstar.com}}</ref>
Aleksei Martynov, a Russian political commentator, argued in an opinion piece for [[Izvestia]] that the EU was rattled by the Brexit referendum and was now using "all possible means" to hold the bloc together. "Emerging from the stupor of animal fear, the Euro-bureaucrats have cursed the very word 'referendum' and today are ready, having transcended their own rhetorical principles, to repressively defend the European Union in its current form through all possible means, but by the hands of national governments, today's events in Spanish Catalonia in any case mark the end of European political romanticism. Harsh, gray days lie ahead. Orwell lives."<ref name="rferl.org"/>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Catalan nationalism}}
[[Category:2017 in Catalonia]]
[[Category:Catalan independence movement]]
[[Category:International reactions to elections]]