On Catalonia

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

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

27/09/2015

Pro-independence parties win the majority in the early elections defined as plebiscite

Catalonia’s pro-independence alliance last night pledged to press ahead with plans to declare unilateral independence from Spain, buoyed by success in a regional election in which they won a clear majority. With 97 percent of the votes for the regional parliament counted, pro-independence parties took a total of 72 seats – enough for the mandate … Continue reading Pro-independence parties win the majority in the early elections defined as plebiscite

09/11/2014

More than 2 million of catalans vote in a non binding referendum in defiance of Madrid

An informal vote on independence for Catalonia has shown more than 80% in favour, officials say. The non-binding vote went ahead after Spain’s constitutional court ruled out holding a formal referendum in the autonomous north-eastern region. More than two million people out of an estimated 5.4 million eligible voters took part in the ballot. Catalan … Continue reading More than 2 million of catalans vote in a non binding referendum in defiance of Madrid