Buzz
The recent Scottish independence referendum concluded with a loss for the nationalists, yet the very fact that it took place underscores the significant progress European secessionist movements have achieved in recent years. Despite the European Union's push for greater continental unity, numerous regions and ethnic minorities have intensified their demands for autonomy. While well-known movements like Catalonia, Flanders, and Scotland dominate headlines, Europe is home to a diverse array of aspiring nations—the European Free Alliance connects over 40 nationalist groups, with many more operating independently.
10. Galicia
Galicia, an autonomous region in northwest Spain bordering Portugal, is home to a population that identifies as a unique ethnic and cultural group. Recognized by the Spanish government as a historical nationality, many Galicians feel this status falls short. The region's political landscape features numerous nationalist and separatist parties, many of which collaborate under the Bloque Nacionalista Galego (BNG), advocating for greater autonomy from Spain's central government. Some BNG members aim for full independence, envisioning a new republic within the European Union. Following internal divisions, the left-wing radical Alternativa Galega de Esquerda (AGE) has also emerged as a vocal proponent of independence.
Although the Galician people possess a strong cultural identity, the BNG's electoral success has generally been limited. On the other hand, AGE has seen notable progress, securing 14 percent of the vote in the 2012 regional elections, though it remains a relatively minor party. Given these circumstances, the prospect of Galician independence appears unlikely in the near future—but the movement is far from extinguished.
9. The Aland Islands
Located in the Baltic Sea, the Aland archipelago enjoys a remarkable degree of autonomy while still being officially part of Finland. With a population of around 28,000, representing just 0.5 percent of Finland's total inhabitants, the islands boast their own parliament with significant authority, including the power to block any efforts by the Finnish government to curtail their autonomy. Ownership of land and participation in local elections are restricted to regional citizens. Additionally, Aland is unique in Finland as the only region where Swedish is the sole official language.
The Act on the Autonomy of Aland ensures the islands are fully demilitarized, maintain their own police force and postal system, and can issue distinct passports. This level of self-governance was achieved after Finland gained independence in 1917. At the time, the majority of Aland islanders voted to secede and join Sweden. However, Finland retained sovereignty after the League of Nations intervened, granting the islands substantial rights and protections to maintain their unique status.
The compromise reached nearly a century ago remains intact, making it unlikely that Aland will ever break away from Finland. Nonetheless, some residents argue that the Finnish government has failed to uphold its commitments, particularly regarding the challenges of conducting business in Swedish. The local political party Alands Framtid (Future of Aland), which advocates for complete independence as a sovereign microstate, garnered nearly 10 percent of the vote in the latest regional elections.
8. The Faroe Islands
Situated in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands comprise 18 stunning islands, positioned roughly midway between Scotland and Iceland. This remote archipelago has been under Danish rule since the 14th century and currently operates as a self-governing nation within the Danish realm.
The Faroe Islands have a deep-rooted history of national sentiment. In the aftermath of World War II, they attempted their first independence referendum. While the secessionists narrowly won with 48.7 percent of the vote (versus 47.2 percent against), the Danish parliament rejected the outcome, citing the lack of a clear majority. Complicating matters further, the Danish prime minister backed the secessionists and declared the islands would gain independence. Two days of uncertainty ensued before the King of Denmark nullified the referendum and dissolved the Faroese parliament. Subsequent elections saw a narrow victory for parties favoring ties with Denmark, leading to the negotiation of home rule for the islands.
The issue of independence remained dormant until 2011, when a proposed Faroese constitution sparked controversy. The Danish government argued that the document, which aimed to grant the islands greater autonomy, was “incompatible” with Denmark’s constitution. They presented the Faroe Islands with a choice: withdraw the draft or pursue immediate independence.
For practical reasons, the Faroese government opted to retract the draft. A leading local politician noted that the islands remain heavily reliant on Danish subsidies, making full independence unfeasible for now. However, pro-independence parties currently hold a majority in the local parliament and are likely biding their time until they can sustain governance without external financial aid.
7. Corsica
Corsicans take pride in their history, asserting that while they have been ruled by many, they have never been conquered. Despite being a French region for centuries, the island’s inhabitants do not identify as French, Italian, or anything else. They are simply Corsicans.
Corsica initially declared independence in the 18th century, establishing a republic that endured for 14 years until France annexed it in 1769. Frequently overlooked by the French government, the island experienced a surge in nationalist sentiment during the latter half of the 20th century, leading to the formation of several separatist groups. Among the most notorious is the National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC), a militant organization that has engaged in bombings, bank heists, extortion, and arson to advance its independence agenda. Another nationalist faction was behind the 1998 assassination of the highest-ranking French official on the island.
In recent years, the French government has increased the island’s autonomy and supported initiatives to preserve the Corsican language, reducing local backing for nationalist movements. Despite this, the struggle for Corsican independence persists, with the FLNC claiming responsibility for occasional bombings over the last ten years.
6. Sardinia
In contrast to their Corsican counterparts, Sardinia’s nationalist movement has pursued independence through peaceful methods. This approach enjoys widespread popularity among Sardinians. A 2014 survey by the universities of Cagliari and Edinburgh revealed that 87 percent of Sardinians desire greater autonomy for their local government, with approximately 41 percent advocating for immediate full independence.
Despite widespread support, pro-independence parties have yet to achieve significant electoral success. In the 2014 elections, sovereignty-focused parties secured only around 18 percent of the total vote, while the pro-independence candidate for regional President finished third with a mere 10.8 percent. Notably, one of the largest pro-independence coalitions failed to win any seats in the local parliament due to a law requiring coalitions to obtain at least 10 percent of the vote to qualify for representation.
Nevertheless, the independence movement remains active, with advocates proposing an online referendum to gauge public sentiment. A newly established group has even suggested that the island should break away from Italy and join Switzerland instead.
5. Transdniestria
Moldova, a small nation roughly the size of Maryland, lies between Romania and Ukraine. Since 1990, approximately 10 percent of its territory has been controlled by an even smaller breakaway state called Transdniestria, also known as Transnistria or the Pridnestrovskaya Moldavskaya Respublika.
Moldova, once part of the Soviet Union, achieved independence as the USSR dissolved in the early 1990s. However, the Russian-speaking population of Transdniestria opposed becoming a minority in a predominantly Romanian-speaking nation and rejected integration into the new state. Tensions escalated until 1992, when an armed conflict erupted. With Russian military backing, the secessionists resisted Moldovan authority, and Transdniestria has operated as a de facto independent state ever since.
Today, Transdniestria boasts its own constitution, flag, national anthem, coat of arms, government, parliament, currency, and military—its only missing element is international recognition. No United Nations member state has acknowledged its sovereignty, and it remains officially part of Moldova. Transdniestria has sought to strengthen its position through independence referendums, the most recent in 2006. An overwhelming 97 percent of voters favored independence, with the option of free association with Russia, but the referendum has not been recognized by any other nations.
4. South Tyrol
Tyrol, a mountainous region historically part of the Austrian Empire, is now divided between Austria and Italy. South Tyrol, an autonomous Italian province, is home to a significant German-speaking population. During Benito Mussolini’s rule, the fascist regime attempted to Italianize South Tyrol by prohibiting the use of the German language. These efforts, however, only strengthened local identity, leading to a series of bombings by the South Tyrolean Liberation Committee in the 1960s. While the group no longer exists, the current independence movement advocates for non-violent methods.
Today, the province enjoys significant autonomy, with only 10 percent of its taxes going to the central government. Despite this, there is strong backing for political parties that advocate for reunification with Austria. Until this goal is achieved, they propose that the province should secede and establish an interim Free State of South Tyrol. These parties typically hold around a third of the seats in the South Tyrolean Provincial Council, though their influence fluctuates with the political climate.
3. Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska, meaning “Serbian Republic” in English, should not be confused with the Republic of Serbia. It is one of two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since the 1990s, this small Balkan nation has been divided between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska. The Federation is predominantly Bosniak and Croat, while Republika Srpska is largely Serb. Republika Srpska was established during the dissolution of Yugoslavia, following Bosnia and Herzegovina’s independence referendum. While most of the Bosnian parliament declared the new republic, ethnic Serbian lawmakers rejected the move and convened their own assembly in Banja Luka, creating their own state. This action precipitated the infamous Bosnian War.
Post-war, Republika Srpska became an autonomous entity within Bosnia, yet many Bosnian Serbs still aspire to form an independent state that could eventually unite with Serbia. The success of Kosovo’s independence movement has further fueled these aspirations, with Serbian leaders arguing that if Kosovo can secede from Serbia, Republika Srpska should have the right to secede from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Although still part of Bosnia, Republika Srpska recently sent its own representative to Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union. While no EU officials attended the event, it heightened tensions with Bosniak leaders and signaled the Serbs’ desire for a future independent of Bosnia.
2. North Cyprus
Cyprus, a large island in the Eastern Mediterranean, has been divided between a Greek majority and a Turkish minority for decades. When Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, the Turkish north, which has effectively functioned as an independent country, was excluded. The division traces back to 1974, when the Cypriot National Guard, backed by the Greek Junta, attempted a coup to unite Cyprus with Greece. In retaliation, Turkey invaded, citing a violation of a treaty involving the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey.
The Turkish invasion led to the island's partition, with the dividing line cutting through the capital, Nicosia. In 1983, the northern third declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Despite this, the republic has not gained widespread recognition or UN membership and remains economically reliant on Turkey. This dependence, along with Cyprus’s EU membership prospects, fueled hopes for reunification. A 2004 referendum proposed merging the island into a federated state. While the Turkish north supported the plan, the Greek south overwhelmingly rejected it, leaving Cyprus divided to this day.
1. Venice
While global attention was fixed on the Russian-backed referendum in Crimea, a similar vote for independence from Italy in the Veneto region, home to Venice, went largely unnoticed. Approximately two million residents participated in an online referendum, using digital IDs to verify eligibility, and overwhelmingly supported reviving the historic Venetian Republic. An astonishing 89 percent voted in favor of secession, far exceeding pollsters’ predictions of around 65 percent.
The Italian government dismissed the referendum, citing its unofficial organization and potential for manipulation. However, it’s clear that nationalist sentiments enjoy significant backing in the region. Veneto, one of Italy’s wealthiest areas, feels it receives insufficient returns for its tax contributions, which largely support poorer southern regions. While the referendum won’t lead to immediate independence, the issue is unlikely to fade away.
