30/10/2017

Catalonia leader turns up in Belgium after Spain seeks prosecution

Catalonia’s ousted president and several members of his deposed cabinet fled to Belgium hours before Spain’s attorney general asked for charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds to be brought against them over their decision to declare independence last week. Shortly after the possible charges were announced on Monday, Spanish media reported that … Continue reading Catalonia leader turns up in Belgium after Spain seeks prosecution

28/10/2017

Spain dissolves Catalan parliament and calls elections

The Spanish government has taken control of Catalonia, dissolved its parliament and announced new elections after secessionist Catalan MPs voted to establish an independent republic, pushing the country’s worst political crisis in 40 years to new and dangerous heights. Speaking on Friday evening, the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said his cabinet had fired the … Continue reading Spain dissolves Catalan parliament and calls elections

27/10/2017

Catalan parliament declares independence, Madrid imposes direct rule

The regional parliament of Catalonia declared independence from Spain on Friday, just minutes before Madrid officially imposed direct rule on the region. The independence motion passed in the Catalan assembly in Barcelona with 70 votes in favor, 10 against and 2 blank ballots, according to Reuters. The parliament is typically 135 members strong but politicians … Continue reading Catalan parliament declares independence, Madrid imposes direct rule

16/10/2017

A Spanish judge has jailed two key members of the Catalan independence movement

Spain moved closer on Monday to imposing central rule over Catalonia to thwart its independence push as Madrid’s High Court signaled a hardening line by jailing the leaders of two of the largest separatist organizations. In the first imprisonment of senior secessionist figures since Catalonia’s Oct. 1 independence referendum, the court ordered the heads of … Continue reading A Spanish judge has jailed two key members of the Catalan independence movement

03/10/2017

Catalan crisis deepens after Spanish king condemns independence bid

Felipe’s dramatic intervention late Tuesday aimed to calm Spain’s deepest political crisis in decades, but risked further fanning resentment and tensions in the region. He spoke after hundreds of thousands of Catalans rallied in fury at violence by police against voters during a banned referendum on independence for their region on Sunday. The central government and national courts branded the referendum illegal. But … Continue reading Catalan crisis deepens after Spanish king condemns independence bid

01/10/2017

1st October: Catalonia has ‘won right to statehood’

  The Catalan leader, Carles Puigdemont, says that Catalonia has won the right to statehood following a contentious referendum that was marred by the violence that Spanish police applied against peaceful citizens. He said the door was open to a unilateral declaration of independence after Catalan officials said voters had backed independence. Spain’s government has … Continue reading 1st October: Catalonia has ‘won right to statehood’

20/09/2017

Protests in Barcelona after police raid Catalan government buildings

  Protests were sparked after Spanish police raided several offices of the Catalan government in Barcelona on Wednesday (September 20) morning. Josep Maria Jove, Catalonia’s junior economy minister, and a dozen high-ranking officials have been arrested, according to reports. Spain’s Guarda Civil barged into Catalan governmental headquarters of the economy, interior, foreign affairs, welfare, telecommunications … Continue reading Protests in Barcelona after police raid Catalan government buildings

06/09/2017

Catalonia passes bill for vote on independence from Spain

The Catalan parliament has approved a law to hold a referendum to achieve the independence, setting it on a collision course with Madrid, which has vowed to stop it. A majority of the regional parliament, which is controlled by pro-independence parties, voted in favour of the bill, which is designed to give a legal basis … Continue reading Catalonia passes bill for vote on independence from Spain

09/06/2017

Catalonia calls independence referendum for October

Catalonia’s referendum on independence from Spain will be finally held on the 1st of October, the regional government announced on Friday, triggering yet another political and judicial showdown with Madrid. The Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, said that voters in the unilateral referendum would be asked the question: “Do you want Catalonia to be an independent … Continue reading Catalonia calls independence referendum for October