Whether or not they are in favour of Catalan independence, political leaders shouldn't be afraid of letting people express themselves peacefully and democratically. Above all, in the 21st century, political leaders shouldn't fear polls and letting people vote in order to choose what they believe is best for their future.
This is why I admire UK prime minister David Cameron, and the way in which he handled the situation with Scotland. His actions were those of a true democrat. I would greatly welcome similar behaviour on the part of Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy with regards to Catalonia. However, the Spanish government's refusal to negotiate and allow a referendum brings Catalonia ever closer to an election that will become, de facto, a referendum.
The Catalan people want to vote in order to decide their future. Currently, 80 per cent of the population and two thirds of the Catalan parliament are in favour of holding a referendum on self-determination on 9 November.
Artur Mas, president of the generalitat of Catalonia, has spent many months trying to negotiate with the Spanish government in order to reach an agreement. So far, this has not been possible. As was largely expected, Spanish courts banned the Catalan referendum. In 2010, the highest court had already ruled against the most relevant parts of the Catalan chart of autonomy, which had been approved by referendum and with the support of the Spanish and Catalan parliaments.
"Europe needs to view the Catalan fight for self-determination as a measure of its success"
But those who believe that the 'Catalan case' will end with a decision by a Spanish court or by a 'no' from a prime minister in Madrid are mistaken. The reasons behind the conflict are too deep rooted. Catalans' aspirations are high and growing rapidly.
The people of Catalonia are hardworking. They are kind, generous and proud of their language, culture and identity. But above all, they want to defend their collective right to decide their own future. It is a right that Catalans will never give up. This is why I believe the vote is bound to happen sooner or later. We have waited three hundred years for this moment. I am sure we can wait a few more months.
The Catalan process is fully European. It is peaceful and democratic. It can only be understood in a context where physical violence cannot be used as a threat against democratic movements. Being part of the EU means that Catalans' democratic will cannot be silenced by the army.
Catalonia is already very well integrated into the EU. It has assimilated all the 'acquis communautaire', and its citizens are part of the Schengen zone. To try and exclude them from the EU family would not only be an error of historic proportions, it would also be a slap in the face for the EU and its democratic prestige.
I firmly believe that Europe needs to view the Catalan fight for self-determination as a measure of its success. Its sphere of peace and prosperity enables democratic movements to succeed against the age old threat of guns. Allowing Catalans to vote would send out a powerful message to the world and set an important example. It would demonstrate the European way of dealing with political and territorial conflicts.