The thing about the Catalan nationalist sentiment is that it's the result of almost 40 years of intense indoctrination in schools and media.
The autonomous communities in Spain actually function like mini-states themselves (their own schooling system —with the Spanish language occupying a very minor role in Catalonia—, their own healthcare setup, etc.). And all this charade makes them look like victims of an opressive state like when Franco was around. ffs!
To a large extent this is merely staged victimhood to catch the international eye. They know they'll be compensated with more competencies transfered to their local government ($$$$) just like it always is.
(And all this leaving aside the fact that the Spanish authorities decided to deal with the whole thing in such a crude way. And the monarchy being such an anachronistic institution not unlike a Father Christmas-like figure for grownups).
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