@devilish
About Catalonia. Can you imagine us out of the EU? Between France and Spain, threatening to be under the influence of other countries?
Most of the products in and out of Spain passes through the roads, rails and ports (most important of the mediterranian see) of Catalonia
Net contributor, GDP per capita above europe
Also., imagine that
Nobody can come to catalonia because of borders. We, as former Spaniards, we would hold spanish citizenship because of birthright. I am all in about free movement, so I can travel, benefit of free healthcare, work everywhere in the EU And all 7.5 million of catalans as we hold spanish citizenship. But the EU can't? Sounds fair? is not, but sure we would benefit on that.
Imagine that we go out without the permission of Spain. Spanish debt says: "Kingdom of Spain", the creditors will go to Spain, not catalonia. Also, 80% of the regional debt is from Spain. Spain without a deal with Catalonia, would make Catalonia with 20% debt, arguably the lowest debt in Europe and Spain in tatters as already has 100% of the GDP, so it will be 125% (as Catalonia is around 25% of the GDP). That is without counting the regional debt, that would be tricky to add to the equation.
Also we would have extra 16 billions (0.5% of our overall GDP every year) that they take us away from our taxes to redistribute among the other regions
Sure we have to accept the consequences, to we have some aces under the sleeves too. We would suffer, specially in the beginning, but I have no doubt that we would do just fine. Enough fine that worth a try