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News, December 2010November media focus on Barcelona The Sagrada Familia Cathedral - as seen by Spiderman! [Image 103???]As was the case in the Pope's British tour recently, there was a lot of media hype over this visit and all perspectives can be gained. The opening of the Sagrada Familia basilica was the main element of this visit. Balconies and rooftops in the area were being rented at premium prices for the hours when Benedict entered and left the cathedral. Not all the balconies are exactly the most beautiful in Barcelona! But local business felt very let down as only half the number came as were hoped for and almost no one bought souvenirs - or even a cup of coffee. The elections are coming at a difficult time in the economic crisis. For the past 8 years the government has been in line with the current socialist Spanish government in Madrid, permitting, in theory, some smoothing of relationships. However, the new Estatut, the home rule law for the region, which was passed in 2006 and ratified in a regional referendum has been challenged in the Constitutional Court and -after four years- found to be too extreme in its Catalan Nationalism. The rumpus which arose from the court's decision in July, leading to a mass demonstration with over a million participants, shows that relations between Madrid and Barcelona are anything but harmonious. As a result of a natural desire for change after 8 years of socialist rule and in the light of the perceived rejection of Catalonia by 'Spain', it seems highly likely that the result of the election will be a swing to the nationalist right wing coalition group Convergència i Unió, which wants to reaffirm the Statute as it stands, even if this requires a change in Spain's constitution. CiU does not want independence at this stage. Other parties contending the election vary from the Partido Popular and Ciutadans, right of centre parties which lean towards closer union with 'Spain' and more use of the Castilian language, several left wing workers' groups and the republican Left, which wants independence, itself recently split, with former Barça football club president Josep Laporta leading one element. More: Papal visit: The elections: The Guardian, 26th October |