Portugal becoming part of Spain???

[parubin]

Apparently a recent unofficial poll held by a Portuguese newspaper showed that almost one out of every three Portuguese would be willing to join Spain and being part of it.
In the last 366 years (when Portugal gaigned its independence from Spain) the idea of an United Iberian State has been put to question sporadicly, with no real consequences or serious debate, and this seems to be another of those episodes.
The poll asks specific questions, and it is strange to find out that the Portuguese being in favour of a unification, would accept Madrid as capital city and even King Juan Carlos as head of State.

Here are the links to this piece of news :

- El País http://www.elpais.es/articulo/internacional/28/portugueses/dispuesto/unirse/Espana/elpporintcor/20060923elpepiint_13/Tes/
- La Razón
http://www.larazon.es/noticias/noti_nac4708.htm
- La Vanguardia
http://www.lavanguardia.es/gen/20060922/51284418344/noticias/el-28-de-los-portugueses-aceptaria-unirse-a-espanya-segun-una-encuesta-portugal-lisboa-anibal-cavaco-silva-juan-carlos-monarquia-madrid-sol.html

[Brian]

I find it quite interesting that it's as high as 1 out of 3. How well do the Spanish and Portuguese get on? I wouldn't expect it ever to happen, but it's an interesting proposition.

[Jimmy]

Knowing my portugues friends - probably about as much chance as New Zealand becoming part of Australia - Uruguay back to Argentina - Scotland and Wales calling themselves England, and Canada accepting that they may as well resign themselves to be called yanks !!!!!!!!!!

:D ;D :) :p

[Marina]

No ofense to the Portuguese but I laugh when I read the article as it is a bit subrealist. However it is an interesting point that due to economical reasons 1 out of every 3 portugueses would like to become Spaniard:eek:. I don't really know what the Potugueses think about Spaniards... I'll have to ask about that to a Portuguese mate at work next week... but I'm not very sure if he will tell me the truth it is a negative one:D

[Edith]

It sounds a bit surreal to me too! This would be like Flanders joining Holland, or Holland joining Germany! :D

[parubin]

It sounds a bit surreal to me too! This would be like Flanders joining Holland, or Holland joining Germany! :D

But, isn´t Holland one of Germany's Länders?? ;D

Knowing my portugues friends - probably about as much chance as New Zealand becoming part of Australia - Uruguay back to Argentina - Scotland and Wales calling themselves England, and Canada accepting that they may as well resign themselves to be called yanks !!!!!!!!!!

Of course, chances of this happening (Portugal becoming a Spanish Region) are as slim as the examples you gave before. We get along fine, but we are different countries, and we have been for long centuries!!.

Economic Reasons (quoting one out of every three Portuguese) are not sufficient for this, as both countries are full members of the EU since 1986, sharing a common market, currency, having no physical borders in between, having the same taxation system and law garanties...

No need to say that one out of three (as much as it seems) is still a long way from being a representative figure for such an issue, plus, nobody has ever asked the Spanish their oppion.

I take this poll as a curious thing that only shows how well Spain is appreciated by our neighbourgs, which is something to be glad about.

I wonder what would be the outcome of this poll if it was held in our southern nieghbourgs (Morrocco) considering than the Spanish-Morroccan border is the most uneven border in terms of difference of salaries and purchasing power of the world. Maybe they would be willing to forget about that little episode in Perejil (Parsley Island) that happened about 4 years ago. :confused:

[Edith]

[quote=parubin;8790]But, isn´t Holland one of Germany's Länders?? ;D

Wij spreken Nederlands, in Deutschland spricht man deutsch. Two different languages, two different peoples, two different governments. I don't know why people always keep mixing us up. Just because 'Dutch' and 'deutsch' sound the same? :rolleyes:

I don't think the Portuguese would be willing to give up their language, either. ;D

[Brian]

Given Portugal's masterful run in the World Cup, nationalism is probably running quite high at this time.

[ValenciaSon]

Maybe Brazil will become part of Portugal before Portugal rejoins Spain;)

[Edith]

Given Portugal's masterful run in the World Cup, nationalism is probably running quite high at this time.

Apart from nationalism, I guess most countries do not want to become part of other countries. Would the US want to become part of Canada or vice versa? Unthinkable IMO.

[Ben]

Yes, it's usually the other way round, eg Basques wanting to get out of Spain.

[greytop]

If the European Union keeps on developing and making the barriers between countries less obtrusive then maybe the names of countries will become less important. Now I can drive from UK to Spain via several other countries without stopping if (I have the stamina). 20 years ago that was not possible with border checks all the way.
Perhaps our American friends can tell us how they would feel if someone suggested that neighbouring states merged. That is how I feel Europe is becoming.
The differences in cultures and language will always remain, even if say Portugal in some way merged with Spain which already has five (or more?) languages in daily use. In the UK, which to outsiders is a single entity, there is a strong movement to protect the individual culture and language of the Scots and Welsh - quite rightly as it something that has made them what they are.
There are still many practical problems to be solved but if Europe can "unite" then maybe one day the world can!

[parubin]

Yes, it's usually the other way round, eg Basques wanting to get out of Spain.

What about trading the Basque Country for Portugal?? Sounds like a good idea for all (just kidding, I'm Basque anyway).

I found this article in a Portuguese paper, that is related to this issue. It talks about the perception of Spain that have the Portuguese, and it is quite positive.

The article is writen in Portuguese, but those fluent in Spanish should have no trouble in understanding, as both languages are so similar :
http://dn.sapo.pt/2006/09/25/nacional/jovens_portugueses_encontram_futuro_.html

[Brian]

Or perhaps Fidel would like to join the US as the 51st state. ;)

I think that Edith is right. Countries have their identity in their own history and culture. What advantage might they have by throwing in with the Spanish?

We live in a period of history where countries are being split up at a tremendous rate, perhaps the greatest in history since the tower of Babel. :o