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Any referendum on Catalonia’s independence or the dissolution of Spanish monarchy would lead to a breakup of Spain.

Chris Bambery said in an interview with Press TV that the Spanish state does not want a referendum in Catalonia or on monarchy, because “they are frightened of a breakup.”

The analyst added that over 62 percent of Spaniards want to “get rid of monarchy” which is “engulfed by a series of financial scandals.”

Bambery also noted that citizens of Basque Country also wish to break away from Madrid. The area has had a long history of regional demands for autonomy along with Catalonia. Both regions have their own language.

Protesters gathered in the capital, Madrid, to protest against the Spanish monarchy with chants such as, ‘a monarchy is not a democracy, but a dictatorship being heard.’

More and more Spaniards are demanding a return to a republic system of government, instead of a monarchy. And at the same time Catalans are calling for a referendum to vote on independence from Spain.

Catalonia is the wealthiest region of Spain. Madrid has said no to the holding of the Catalan referendum and most likely will say no to a referendum on the future of the monarchy.

Critics say Madrid is behaving more as a dictatorship, not a democracy.

Bambery also stated that “dread austerity, destruction of Spanish economy and tearing unemployment” were contributing to the growing discontent among the Spanish public.

Battered by the global financial downturn, the Spanish economy collapsed into recession in the second half of 2008, taking millions of jobs with it.

The Spanish government has been sharply criticized over its austerity measures that are hitting the middle and working classes the hardest.