Current state of affairs Autonomous communities of Spain

1 current state of affairs

1.1 overview
1.2 tensions within system
1.3 independence process in catalonia

current state of affairs
overview

with implementation of autonomous communities, spain went being 1 of centralized countries in oecd being 1 of decentralized; in particular, has been country incomes , outcomes of decentralized bodies (the autonomous communities) has grown most, leading rank in europe 2015 , being fifth among oecd countries in tax devolution (after canada, switzerland, united states , austria). means of state of autonomies implemented after spanish constitution of 1978, spain has been quoted remarkable extent of powers peacefully devolved on past 30 years , extraordinarily decentralized country , central government accounting 18% of public spending, 38% regional governments, 13% local councils, , remaining 31% social security system.

in terms of personnel, 2010 1,350,000 people or 50.3% of total civil servants in spain employed autonomous communities; city , provincial councils accounted 23.6% , employees working central administration (police , military included) represented 22.2% of total.

tensions within system

peripheral nationalism continues play key role in spanish politics. peripheral nationalists view there vanishing practical distinction between terms nationalities , regions , more competences transferred communities in same degree , other communities have chosen identify nationalities . in fact, has been argued establishment of state of autonomies has led creation of new regional identities , , invented communities .

many in galicia, basque country, , catalonia view communities nations , not nationalities , , spain plurinational state or nation of nations , , have made demands further devolution or secession.

in 2004 basque parliament approved ibarretxe plan, whereby basque country approve new statute of autonomy containing key provisions such shared sovereignty spain, full independence of judiciary, , right self-determination, , assuming competences except of spanish nationality law, defense, , monetary policy. plan rejected spanish parliament in 2005 , situation has remained largely stable in front far.

a particularly contentious point -especially in catalonia- has been 1 of fiscal tensions, catalan nationalists intensifying demand further financing on last few years. in regard, new rules fiscal decentralisation in force since 2011 make spain 1 of decentralised countries in world in budgetary , fiscal matters, base income tax split @ 50/50 between spanish government , regions (something unheard of in bigger federal states such germany or united states, retain income tax exclusively federal one). besides, each region can decide set own income tax bands , own additional rates, higher or lower federal rates, corresponding income accruing region no longer has share other regions. current level of fiscal decentralisation has been regarded economists such thomas piketty troublesome since, in view, challenges idea of solidarity within country , comes down playing regions against each other, particularly problematic when issue 1 of income tax supposed enable reduction of inequalities between richest , poorest, on , above regional or professional identities .

independence process in catalonia

the severe economic crisis in spain started in 2008 produced different reactions in different communities. on 1 hand, began consider return of responsibilities central government. while, on other hand, in catalonia debate on fiscal deficit—catalonia being 1 of largest net contributors in taxes— led many not separatist enraged financial deficit support secession. in september 2012, artur mas, catalonia s president, requested central government new fiscal agreement , possibility of giving community powers equal of communities of chartered regime, prime minister mariano rajoy refused. mas dissolved catalan parliament, called new elections, , promised celebrate referendum on independence within next 4 years.

rajoy s government declared use legal instruments —current legislation requires central executive government or congress of deputies call or sanction binding referendum— block such attempt. spanish socialist workers party , counterpart in catalonia proposed reopen debate on territorial organization of spain, changing constitution create true federal system better reflect singularities of catalonia, modify current taxation system.

on friday 27 of october 2017 catalan parliament voted independence of catalonia; result 70 in favor, 10 against, 2 neither, 53 representatives not present in protest. in following days, members of catalan government either fled or imprisoned.

one scholar summarises current situation follows

autonomous state appears have come full circle, reproaches sides. according some, has not gone far enough , has failed satisfy aspirations improved self-government. others has gone far, fostering inefficiency or reprehensible linguistic policies .