The possibility of the secession of Catalonia from Spain continues to have a negative impact on the Spanish economy, which has recently emerged from the euro crisis and is heading for growth of more than 3.0%, according to the latest IMF estimates.
In the wake of the victory of the separatist forces in the weekend elections in the province, the value of Spanish shares fell, and the index of the "Epix 35" record 1.6%, because of the decline in the value of shares of banks "Kexa" and "Banco Sabadil" 3%, and the value of the euro by 0.2%. According to Reuters reported.
Catalonia is one of the most important provinces of Spain in 17 provinces. Its economy is the size of the Portuguese economy, accounting for 17% of Spain's total economy of $ 1.232 trillion.
The province contributes about $ 267 billion annually to Spanish public income, according to EUROSTAT statistics for 2016. Spain will therefore lose one of its most important boycotts, but the prospect of secession appears to be declining despite the results of the vote. Especially as the province faces European pressure and will live almost isolated by major international companies that provide jobs and tax income to the province.
In addition, Catalonia is a heavily indebted province. According to Euro Stat statistics, the province of Catalonia is submerged in debt and its debt is estimated at $ 86.9 billion. In the event of secession and the formation of an independent state, the Spanish government will also demand additional debt from the total Spanish public debt estimated at 1.18 trillion dollars until the end of last year 2016.
Since the October referendum, some 3,100 companies have moved their headquarters from Catalonia, specifically from Barcelona to other Spanish cities. According to Reuters.
According to official Spanish statistics, the occupancy of hotels in Catalonia decreased by 7.3% compared to the rise in the rest of the cities of Spain.
Among the separatist protests against the central government are the high taxes on the territory. On the other hand, investors believe that the secession of Catalonia would be a real disaster for its economy, because in practice it would mean expulsion from the eurozone and the denial of the use of the European currency.
Thus, it will be difficult for European and even global companies to stay in a province barred from trading with the rest of the euro area. There is almost no impossibility for Catalonia to become a member of the European Union.
Simply because the laws of the European Union provide for the consent of all members to accept the membership of the new State, and Spain will certainly not agree to its membership.
There are many economists in the province who advise secessionist forces to use this result in negotiating with the central government to get better conditions for boycotting Spain instead of signaling secession. This view is supported by some officials of the European Commission.