Czech Economist Defends Catalonia's Independence
Lidové noviny is one of the most prestigious Czech newspapers. A few weeks ago they published an article by Pavel Kohout
who argues in favor of Catalan sovereignty in a demolishing way. Kohout
is a young and prestigious economist who acts as an adviser for the
Czech government, and a highly respected opinion maker among the Czech
elite. This is the first time that a text in Czech is published
defending Catalonia’s independence.
The text begins with a reference to Orwell's Homage to Catalonia,
where he talks about his own experiences during the Spanish Civil War
(1936-39), when a democratic Catalonia was militarily crushed, and
Spanish fascists would execute countless people at firing squads.
Mr. Kohout explains the situation of the Catalan economy, and backs his assertions with real figures. “Does this mean that Catalans are not able to manage their own economy? Did the Catalans live beyond their means and are they asking now for help? Absolutely not. Quite the opposite is true. Catalonia is the richest region in Spain. Also, it is the one with the highest tax imbalance. And that is precisely the problem.” He adds, “The figures from 2009 show that Catalonia gave Madrid 14,493,000 € (which represents an 8.4% of Catalonia's GDP) in exchange for nothing. Incidentally, this amount is just a bit more than the total loans Catalonia is going to need for 2012.” Therefore, Spain's richest region must get in debt just to subsidize Madrid. Could it be more clear?
Mr. Kohout explains the situation of the Catalan economy, and backs his assertions with real figures. “Does this mean that Catalans are not able to manage their own economy? Did the Catalans live beyond their means and are they asking now for help? Absolutely not. Quite the opposite is true. Catalonia is the richest region in Spain. Also, it is the one with the highest tax imbalance. And that is precisely the problem.” He adds, “The figures from 2009 show that Catalonia gave Madrid 14,493,000 € (which represents an 8.4% of Catalonia's GDP) in exchange for nothing. Incidentally, this amount is just a bit more than the total loans Catalonia is going to need for 2012.” Therefore, Spain's richest region must get in debt just to subsidize Madrid. Could it be more clear?
Kohout also
compares the situation in Catalonia with that of the Czech Republic when
it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and he notices that the
situation is very similar.
The article ends with a clear message: “The Catalan budget is smaller than the amount Catalonia sends to Madrid every year. Therefore, the crisis comes from the the budget’s federalism. Should Catalonia not be obliged to contribute to the common budget in Spain, it would end up with a balanced budget or a surplus.”
The article ends with a clear message: “The Catalan budget is smaller than the amount Catalonia sends to Madrid every year. Therefore, the crisis comes from the the budget’s federalism. Should Catalonia not be obliged to contribute to the common budget in Spain, it would end up with a balanced budget or a surplus.”
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