Catalonia’s independence referendum has long dominated conversation in the wealthy northeastern region of Spain.<br /><br />And with emotions running high on both sides of the debate, some families are feeling the strain.<br /><br />Xavi Oliveres and his cousin Francesc are on opposing sides of the argument. Yet they and their wives can put their differences to one side to enjoy lunch together.<br /><br />“I am voting no because I think independence is not the solution,” Xavi said. <br /><br />“We have too many problems in the country and in the world to be separating from each other.”<br /><br />Francesc though says he is voting yes.<br /><br />Independence “is not a panacea,” he admits, “but I think it is the solution to the problem that we have had between Spain and Catalonia since the ‘Transition’ (to democracy).<br /><br />To vote or not, independence or not: Catalonia divided https://t.co/qJb3S075hu pic.twitter.com/Z88v4xruUJ— The Local Spain (@TheLocalSpain) 23 septembre 2017<br /><br />While Xavi and his wife Cristina support holding a referendum, they are the only members of their extended family to oppose independence from Spain.<br /><br />They usually try to avoid talking about politics – relations have broken down in some families over the issue. Fortunately, for them, this is not the case.<br /><br />“We are lucky that in our family there is respect and this has meant no division,” Cristina said. <br /><br />“But I think in other families depending on the people it could happen.”<br /><br />“We debate, there are different opinions,” said Francesc’s wife Merce. <br /><br />“Normally one tries to convince the other and it ends up in a stalemate because everyone sticks to their position.”<br /><br />Cristina Giner, Euronews correspondent in Tarragona, Catalonia, says: <br />“The vast majority of Catalans want a referendum. As for independence, the population is divided. In the last polls, almost 50 percent were against it. Just over 41 percent were in favour.<br /><br />VOICES: What Catalans really think about the vote for independence https://t.co/27OkM35GDw pic.twitter.com/DmxO3kCmoF— The Local Spain (@TheLocalSpain) 29 septembre 2017<br />
