Süddeutsche Zeitung, one of Germany's most important newspapers, has published an in-depth analysis of the strategy the Spanish government is using against the Catalan independence process. In their opinion, they're looking for "political humiliation".
In an article entitled "Madrid bets on targeted political humiliation", the great Munich newspaper says that, in accordance with this strategy, Spain's Court of Accounts has seized the house of former president Artur Mas, as a fine for his role in organising the unofficial 2014 referendum. According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, that "aggravates tensions again" with Catalonia. It notes that political commentators in Barcelona interpret it as an "attempt to intimidate Catalan politicians who advocate for stronger autonomy or even secession from Spain".
The newspaper adds that the legal actions will mark the end of the campaign for the 21st December Catalan election, and notes the strong influence prime minister Mariano Rajoy's PP party has on the Spanish judiciary. "The harsh action of Spanish Justice and the Court of Accounts, both closely linked through many individuals with the conservative PP party run by prime minister Mariano Rajoy, will determine the last phase of the campaign for the anticipated regional election in Catalonia on 21st [December]".
The newspaper summarises recent events in Catalonia, from the situation of the imprisoned ministers and independence movement leaders and Spain's withdrawal of the European Arrest Warrant against Puigdemont, to the removal of the Sixena artworks by legal order. Süddeutsche Zeitung also sees the humiliation strategy at work in this last event. "The lawsuit was not yet finished - but the caretaker administration appointed by Madrid withdrew its opposition. In the eyes of many observers, a targeted political humiliation."
The newspaper, in another article published late last month, says that one thing is clear, "the problem is far from finished". In its opinion, there are two mistakes in Catalan and Spanish politics. "Rajoy blocked the reform to the fiscal pact and the institutional renovation of the Franco period. And Puigdemont's cabinet, which escaped arrest by fleeing to Brussels, naively believed, with a full 40% approval of the public, but without support from the economy or from abroad, that it could establish a new state. But opponents to independence themselves are of the opinion that the detention of elected Catalan politicians and the imposition of ruinous fines damage democracy as seriously".