Catalonia and Spain within the EU: Economy and Political Structure
* Rompuy brothers and Catherine Ashton in the EU
Catalonia and Spain within the EU:
1. Economic Exchanges and Development
Spain is a post-industrial nation, transitioning from industry to a service-based economy, largely due to ICT development. Catalonia, Spain’s most productive region, significantly contributes to the Spanish economy, making Spain a major EU country. Catalonia’s GDP per capita is about 30% above the European average, with above-average GDP growth and increasing exports. However, education spending and Research and Development (R&D) are below European averages.
1.2. Catalan Economy in the Spanish Context
Catalonia has long been a pioneer in the Spanish economy and remains the most significant, representing approximately 20% of Spain’s total GDP.
2. Political and Administrative Division of Spain
Delimitation and Division of Spain
Spain covers 505,990 km2, including the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and Spanish territories in Africa (Melilla, the Alhucemas Islands, the Chafarinas Islands, Ceuta, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera). Spain is separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees and from Africa by the 14 km Strait of Gibraltar. Spain’s territory includes airspace and jurisdictional waters up to 200 nautical miles offshore.
Spain shares borders with France, Andorra, the United Kingdom (Gibraltar), Portugal, and Morocco. These borders are a result of historical events, wars, and conflicts.
- French Border: Marked by the Pyrenees, generally corresponding to northern France and southern Spain, with exceptions like the Llívia enclave.
- Gibraltar Border: A British colony since the Treaty of Utrecht, its sovereignty remains disputed.
- Portuguese Border: The Olivenza area near Badajoz is contested, with Portuguese cultural influence.
- Moroccan Border: Spain holds territories in North Africa (Ceuta, Melilla, etc.), claimed by Morocco.
Since the 1995 Schengen Agreement, Spain’s external borders have been reinforced, becoming an entry point to the EU from Africa.
2.2. Regional Organization of Spain
According to the 1978 Constitution, Spain is divided into municipalities, provinces, and autonomous communities. Some autonomous communities have regional divisions (e.g., Aragon, Valencia).
Autonomous communities were established starting in 1979, with 17 communities and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla by 1995. These include Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, Valencia, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre, Basque Country, La Rioja, Ceuta, and Melilla.
The central government delegates powers to the regions, categorized as full or shared. Full powers are exclusive to the autonomous region, while shared powers involve both the region and the state (e.g., justice, infrastructure).
Each autonomous community has:
- Parliament/Assembly: Legislates for the region, approves budgets, and controls the government. Members are elected.
- Presidency: Leads the government, elected by parliament. The government (president and advisors) executes laws.
Provinces and Municipalities
Provinces, created in 1833, serve as electoral districts and administrative units. Each province has a representative government and a provincial council.
Municipalities are basic local administrative units, with over 8,111 in Spain. Municipal governments consist of councilors and a mayor, elected democratically. Services provided vary by population size:
- All Municipalities: Public lighting, cemetery, waste collection, street cleaning, water supply, sewerage, road access, food and drink control.
- >5,000 Inhabitants: Public park, library, market, waste treatment.
- >20,000 Inhabitants: Civil protection, social services, sports facilities, public slaughterhouse.
- >50,000 Inhabitants: Urban transport, environmental protection, arranged transport for disabled people.
Other local authorities include submunicipal divisions (e.g., parishes in Galicia), counties in Catalonia, Galicia, and Aragon, and Island Councils in the Balearic and Canary Islands.
Political and Administrative Organization of Catalonia
Catalonia has had self-government since the Second Republic, except during Franco’s dictatorship. It has had three Statutes of Autonomy: 1932, 1979, and 2006.