RUENVILLE, MONTGRAND – Today, about two thousand people have demonstrated against the government in the streets of Ruenville, a town of about 95 thousand in the north of Allendea. It is where the Commune Generale du Tarçaille (short CGT) is located, a prominent party in Montgrand, which is strongly pro-independence and autonomy. Their name originates from the commune where the party was founded.

Why do people feel Montgrand should be independent?

Originally, Allendea was part of Nouvelle-Franqueterre, a Franquese colony in Southern Tarephia, along the Lycene region.

However, in 1650, the Castellanese took over Allendea. Over the next hundred years, they forced the Franquese and Natives to speak Castellanese. They were successful, except for the now-province of Montgrand and parts of Bervoie/Bervoya, since their “Castellanisation” efforts were halted in 1809 due to the independence war of Allendea. After the war was over and the United Provinces of Fojenica were declared independent (the term “Allendea” didn’t exist until 1825), Franquese and Castellanese had “equal status”, however, the Castellanese language was given preference, as around 80% of the population spoke Castellanese, mostly as their only language. This has stayed the same for most of Allendea’s history, except in the Tarella dictatorship, in which Franquese became unofficial, and was forbidden to speak. This is the time that many movements like this were successful, however were kept underground, as they were illegal. When the dictatorship ended in 1981, Franquese was allowed and an official language, however the damage was already done, and the sentiment for independence grew stronger. Ever since then, the amount of independenists grew stronger, from 4.6% of the populace in 1991 to 23.1% now.

Is Montgrand’s independence likely?

For 2020: No. However, if it keeps growing at the current rate, by 2035, a majority will be pro-independence. If Allendea’s government does another thing wrong, that process may be sped up.

Source: nn.com.al