Scottish independence would be bad for whole of EU, says Rajoy

The effects of a “Yes” vote would spread far beyond our shores – to the whole of the EU, according to Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy. 

 

At a meeting of MPs in Madrid he said independence referendums such as Scotland’s often result in “more economic recession and poverty”, and that they are bad for integration.

 

“I’ve no sympathy at all for these processes. They’re bad for the state in question and for the whole of the European Union,” he said. 

 

“Everyone in Europe thinks that these processes are hugely negative. Europe was built to bring states together, not to fragment them.”

 

He added that Scotland would have reapply for EU membership as a new country if it became independent, and any of the member states could veto entry. Rojoy has already indicated that Spain might do just that. 

 

The Catalans will be eagerly awaiting the results of tomorrow’s referendum – in the midst of Spain’s ongoing economic turmoil, they are hoping to hold an independence referendum of their own in November. Catalonia is one of the richest and most industrialised regions of the country. 

 

Today, Catalonia’s regional parliament will come to a resolution on whether the referendum will take place two months from now. It has already been promised by Catalonian president Artur Mas.