Are you kidding me?!!! Et tu, Venice! Crimea, Scotland… Now Venice Votes on Breakaway | CNBC VENICE, Italy | 3/20/2014 — Crimeas residents arent the only Europeans striving for secession, with referendums in both Scotland and Spains Catalonia planned for later this year. But the phenomenon appears to be spreading: this week Venetians have been voting on breaking away from Italy, albeit in a referendum not recognized by Rome or regional authorities. Paolo Bernardini, professor of European history at the University of Insubria in Como, Italy, has been campaigning for an independent Venice since 2007. He said the city was free for around 1,100 years—before losing its independence to Napoleon in 1797—and it was high time for it to become an autonomous state once again. Although history never repeats itself, we are now experiencing a strong return of little nations, small and prosperous countries, able to interact among each other in the global world, he told CNBC. Venetian people realized that we are a nation (worthy of) self-rule and openly oppressed, and the entire world is moving towards fragmentation—a positive fragmentation—where local traditions mingle with global exchanges. It is this fierce pride in their cultural heritage that unites the states striving for autonomy—and could lead to more independence bids in the future. Catalonia, Scotland, the Basque Country, Wales and Flanders are distinct nations with a long history behind and a strong will to govern themselves, Xavier Solano, former representative of the Catalan Government in the UK, told CNBC. Perhaps not all of them will bid for independence, however it seems reasonable to believe that some of them may think that their future would be better in their own hands. I am convinced that EU internal borders will be re-shaped by the democratic will of the people. Taxing reasons Much like in Scotland and Catalonia, those in favor of an independent Venice—as part of an autonomous Veneto region—cite economic reasons for breaking away from their parent states. Italy receives around 71 billion euros ($96 billion) each year in tax from Venice, according to AFP—some 21 billion euros less than it gets back in investment and services. Veneto makes up over 9% of Italys GDP. By contrast, Catalonia accounts for roughly one-fifth of Spains GDP, and Scotland accounts for just over 8% of the UK economic output—excluding North Sea oil and gas revenue. The Venice vote—due to end Friday—comes just a week after Crimea voted overwhelmingly in favor of leaving Ukraine and becoming part of the Russian Federation, although the European Union and U.S. have deemed the referendum illegal. Read in full on CNBC: cnbc/id/101511134
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 10:15:15 +0000
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