Economist weighs in ahead of Catalonia election The Catalan economy, one of the most dynamic among Spain's regions, has stalled this autumn during the independence push by its leaders, though analysts aren't yet sure about the long-term consequences. With less than a week to go until a knife-edge election in Catalonia on December 21, one economist says the uncertainty may have cost the region the chance to implement important reforms. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES