On Catalonia

Photo: EFE

21/02/2018

Oriol Junqueras from jail: « We must unite to retake control »

Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras, held in pretrial detention without bail in Estremera prison near Madrid for now over a hundred days, has defended the unity of the independence movement to « get our government back ». « It is the sum of many actors and social sectors, among them the leaders of parties », he said about the movement, « that … Lire la suite Oriol Junqueras from jail: « We must unite to retake control »

28/01/2018

Puigdemont: « Spain is trying to ignore the Catalan election results »

Following his visit to Copenhagen, acting Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, has made another public appearance, this time at an event in Flanders. The leader of the JuntsxCat parliamentary group attended the « New Year » reception held by the N-VA (New Flemish Alliance), the largest Flemish nationalist party, in the city of Lennik, about 30 kilometres west of Brussels. Received with … Lire la suite Puigdemont: « Spain is trying to ignore the Catalan election results »

21/12/2017

Catalan pro-independence parties keep their majority in the elections called by Rajoy

Catalan pro-independence parties have held their absolute majority in snap regional elections, dealing a severe blow to the Spanish government, which had called the polls in the hope of heading off the secessionist push. The deposed Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, described the result as a “a slap to the face” to the Spanish prime minister, … Lire la suite Catalan pro-independence parties keep their majority in the elections called by Rajoy

05/12/2017

Spanish judge withdraws arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont

  A Spanish judge has lifted the extradition order on the former Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, and four former cabinet members who fled to Belgium to avoid charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds. In a surprise move as campaigning officially began for this month’s Catalan election, supreme court judge Pablo Llarena withdrew … Lire la suite Spanish judge withdraws arrest warrant for Carles Puigdemont

03/11/2017

European arrest warrant issued for ex-Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont

  A Spanish judge has issued an international arrest warrant for Catalonia’s ousted president a day after she jailed eight members of the region’s pro-independence government pending possible charges ove last week’s declaration of independence. In the latest twist in Spain’s worst political crisis in four decades, a national court judge on Friday issued a European … Lire la suite European arrest warrant issued for ex-Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont

02/11/2017

Judge sends Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras and 7 ministers to prison without bail

A judge from Spain’s National Audience court, Carmen Lamela, has without hesitation sent to prison Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras and ministers Jordi Turull(Presidency), Josep Rull (Territory), Raül Romeva(Foreign Affairs), Joaquim Forn (Interior), Carles Mundó(Justice), Dolors Bassa (Work) and Meritxell Borràs(Governance). They have not been offered bail. As expected, the public prosecutor had requested maximum penalties for the Catalan government and the judge accepted them. The judge, in her order, says that … Lire la suite Judge sends Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras and 7 ministers to prison without bail

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 … Lire la suite 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 … Lire la suite 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 … Lire la suite Catalan parliament declares independence, Madrid imposes direct rule