Different ways of addressing Catalonian independence: A comparative thematic analysis of two prime minister speeches

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative study is to understand how Catalonian independence is addressed by the central government in Spain. In order to achieve this aim, two speeches held by former prime minister Mariano Rajoy, and current prime minister Pedro Sanchez, have been critically examined. These two speeches represent two important events in relation to the conflict between the central government and Catalan pro-independence politicians, one concerning the escalation of the conflict in 2017, and the other concerning the latest event surrounding the conflict in 2023. The speeches also represent two different central governments with two separate ideologies and circumstances surrounding their ruling. The research questions of this study are; How is the Spanish constitution from 1978 interpreted in relation to regional secession? How is the resistance of the Catalan pro-independence politicians met by the central government in terms of power relations in the speeches? And, How do the speeches approach amnesty and suspension, and how can it be understood in relation to the central government's view on political rights? The content of the speeches have been analyzed by using a thematic analysis where the themes used represent each research question. The results of the two speeches have first been presented separately, and thereafter been compared with each other. Theories, as well as concepts, related to regional secessionism, power relations in connection to resistance and amnesty, suspension and political rights, have also been applied to answer the research questions. The last chapter of this study concludes that the prime ministers in both speeches address Catalonian independence as something to avoid, but in two different ways.