Catalan Independence

On September 20, 2017, the Spanish government arrested many Catalan officials who were planning an independence referendum, in Operation Anubis. On October 1, when the referendum was held, violence broke out. In this timeline, the European Union forced Spain to withdraw from Catalonia.

A Basic Timeline of Catalan Independence
Main Article: Timeline

On September 20, news of Operation Anubis spread across the world. Many people saw this as unfair, and support for Catalan independence skyrocketed. When October 1 came, and the referendum happened, the Catalan Government declared independence, after 92.01% of the population voted in favor of it.

Immediate Response
The Spanish Government condemned the government, and didn't withdraw from Catalonia. Both the Catalan and Spanish governments sent lawyers to the European Parliament, to prove that Catalonia was or wasn't Spanish. Catalonia believed they would be successful, due to support for their independence. On October 2, 2017, they began a session on whether or not to recognize Catalan independence.

International Response
The European Parliament voted 529-200, with 22 abstentions, in favor of Catalonian Independence. After the EU, NATO members not in the EU recognized Catalonia. They wanted to keep good relations with the new country. On October 4, Russia recognized them. On October 6, China recognized them. With the five permant members of the UN security council agreeing on Catalan independence, Catalonia joined the UN. Spain, however, did not recognize Catalonia until the end of October, with the European Council threatening to enact Article 7 on Spain.