![Catalans once longed for freedom, but it doesn't look so appealing now](https://cdn.magzter.com/1588175420/1716519803/articles/VOC21CYDl1716533897663/CATALANS-ONCE-LONGED-FOR-FREEDOM-BUT-IT-DOESNT-LOOK-SO-APPEALING-NOW.jpg)
Elections on 12 May saw around 54% of the electorate return candidates from non-separatist parties across the political spectrum. The Socialist party scored a momentous victory for the first time.
The vote appears to draw a line under a tumultuous decade marked by a 2017 rush to independence that led to an illegal referendum, a unilateral declaration of independence, mass protest and the worst constitutional crisis since the restoration of democracy in 1975. The result shows most Catalans don't want a separate Catalan republic, but this is the first time the shift in opinion will be reflected in the Catalan parliament.
The Catalan autonomous region was created after the end of the Franco dictatorship. Today Catalonia, even more than other Spanish regions, has considerable powers in healthcare, security and education.
Despite autonomy, support for Catalan independence from Spain had steadily grown, reaching 49% in 2017.
Now, only around 30% of the population unambiguously tick an "independent state" as the best option for Catalonia when pollsters offer a range of nuanced hypothetical outcomes including independence within a federal Spain. Turnout was low in the vote: around 58%, compared with the 80% record of 2017.
Esta historia es de la edición May 24, 2024 de The Guardian Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 24, 2024 de The Guardian Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![The Drugs Trade How Big Is The Problem-And Who Is Paying The Price?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/0J5SE9UDG1718344179110/crp_THE-DRUGS-TRADE-HOW-BIG-IS-THE-PROBLEMAND-WHO-IS-PAYING-THE-PRICE.jpg)
The Drugs Trade How Big Is The Problem-And Who Is Paying The Price?
Over the past 10 years, Europe has developed a serious cocaine problem. The drug, originating in the jungles of South America, is being transported, sold and consumed across the European continent in record amounts.
![Calamitous floods made more likely by global heating](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/jApHkTh5-1718355180959/CALAMITOUS-FLOODS-MADE-MORE-LIKELY-BY-GLOBAL-HEATING.jpg)
Calamitous floods made more likely by global heating
The unusually prolonged and extensive flooding that has devastated southern Brazil was made at least twice as likely by human burning of fossil fuels and trees, a study has shown.
![Paddington is back-and he's gone immersive](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/0HYzxLYC61718354911504/PADDINGTON-IS-BACKAND-HES-GONE-IMMERSIVE.jpg)
Paddington is back-and he's gone immersive
The bear from darkest Peru has donned his wellies and duffle coat for a live experience’ that is halftheatre, half-party, with lashings of marmalade
![Elections are a travesty of democracy-give the people a real voice George Monbiot](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/bl7kr3l5_1718354523504/ELECTIONS-ARE-A-TRAVESTY-OF-DEMOCRACYGIVE-THE-PEOPLE-A-REAL-VOICE-GEORGE-MONBIOT.jpg)
Elections are a travesty of democracy-give the people a real voice George Monbiot
Everything hangs on them but little changes. For weeks or months, elections dominate national life.
![Keeping the peace](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/BZcFLzdQ71718349018508/KEEPING-THE-PEACE.jpg)
Keeping the peace
Military service for 18-year-olds is a key Tory election pledge in the UK.But in countries with conscription, opting out comes at a cost. Michael Segalov asks seven conscientious objectors why they refused to serve in the armed forces
![How steroids got huge](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/WVDcFfKDg1718347965126/HOW-STEROIDS-GOT-HUGE.jpg)
How steroids got huge
Once upon atime, it was only hardcore bodybuilders who pumped themselves up with testosterone. Today it is no longer niche. But how dangerous is it?
![Tijuana border feels weight of Biden's order on closure](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/pfV9uiqG31718347622966/TIJUANA-BORDER-FEELS-WEIGHT-OF-BIDENS-ORDER-ON-CLOSURE.jpg)
Tijuana border feels weight of Biden's order on closure
Every year, waves of people from around the world make their way to southern California to start a new life and find safe harbour.
![Catania turns the tables on invasive blue crabs](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/pQUFrZr5l1718347495639/CATANIA-TURNS-THE-TABLES-ON-INVASIVE-BLUE-CRABS.jpg)
Catania turns the tables on invasive blue crabs
In a suburb of Catania on Sicily's east coast, smoke billows from street stands selling grilled horse meat, and youngsters gather around kiosks selling the region's unique handmade drink, seltz limone esale (seltzer with lemon and sea salt).
![Friends reunited Football and a troubled continent](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/q2FEVA9hB1718347083072/FRIENDS-REUNITED-FOOTBALL-AND-A-TROUBLED-CONTINENT.jpg)
Friends reunited Football and a troubled continent
Europe is suffering a crisis of identity but for four weeks the Euro 2024 tournament offers a kernel of something pure
![Could this be the end of the Tories?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21668/1732406/Db4NR4BBQ1718346028010/COULD-THIS-BE-THE-END-OF-THE-TORIES.jpg)
Could this be the end of the Tories?
Even before last week, the party's prospects were grim. Nowsome believe it faces a wipeout that would reshape the UK political landscape