For an outsider looking at the democratic crisis in Spain that followed the call for a referendum by the Catalonian government, this would seem like Brexit deja vu on steroids. However, as a Catalonian — and by extension, Spanish — citizen, the egregious display of force perpetrated against civilians across the region was entirely predictable. It came in no small part due to the overarching government’s flagrant lack of contingency and commitment to diplomatic resolution.

In a union scathed by far-right populism that threatens to destabilize its longstanding economic and political prosperity, the outcome of this secessionist deadlock should raise alarms both within and beyond its borders. It’s the ultimate battle of democracy versus law, self-determination versus constitutional authority — and Barcelona is ground zero. Consequently, the crisis in Spain has devolved from an internal and historically charged socio-cultural antagonism to a global struggle for the integrity of democratic principles. Spain’s disintegration would not only undermine all systems of constitutional law, but would effectively catalyze a chain reaction of dissolution movements fueled by uncertainty across Europe, interrupting international trade, travel and political stability.

Over the summer, opinion polls showed a plurality of Catalan citizens were against geopolitical secession — 49.4 percent were against independence, while 41.1 percent were in favor. Around 70 percent wanted to be able to vote in a referendum, according to The Guardian. Nevertheless, there exists serious discontent with the federal government’s financial overhaul and disproportionate distribution of funds relative to the region’s significant economic contributions. What could have been an open-door set of judicious negotiations between the Spanish prime minister — and member of the right-wing People’s Party — Mariano Rajoy and the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, instead fermented into a reckless game of Russian roulette. This further polarized the country. But despite the logical impulse to side with the afflicted, call unequivocal foul on the aggressor and end the debate, we must go beyond our visceral revulsion to bring out the gray in what today was depicted as black and white.

Yes, the Spanish government took a disastrous approach to an unconstitutional act. Yes, there were violations of civil liberties and excessive use of force. More than 800 Catalonians were injured in clashes against Spanish riot police at voting centers. Turning off the financial faucet or ignoring the process would have easily sidestepped today’s events, which have now only further legitimized and populated the movement. But let’s not forget the intransigence of the Catalan separatists, many of whose extremist stipulations have clouded the more widespread, moderate sentiments. Soraya Saenz, deputy prime minister of Spain, even put constitutional reform on the table as a means to persuade Independence leaders to abolish the referendum. Puigdemont and higher-level Generalitat officials have effectively divided the Catalonian population, with rumors of extortion, threats and intimidation by the Popular Unity Candidacy, a pro-Catalan Independence party.

What today has accomplished is a state of polarization, radicalization and nation-wide dissension reminiscent of decades past. Additionally, the depiction of a repressive and brutal state has stained the country’s international image, working against pressure from the European Union to remain united. Moving forward — in the hopes of keeping any shred of potential coexistence — Rajoy should resign, followed by a political, not judicial, negotiation. Catalonia’s secession would incontrovertibly prove catastrophic not only for itself and Spain, but for the European Union by setting a fatal precedent to any democracy.

¡Viva la patria!

Melania Hidalgo is a Medill junior. She can be contacted at [email protected]. If you would like to respond publicly to this column, send a Letter to the Editor to [email protected]. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.