Puigdemont visit to Madrid cancelled

Contradictory information circulates around a possible Catalan independence leader Carles Puigdemont visit to Madrid on Thursday, October 26, to explain his position on independence to the Sénate, and try to stop the national government imposing direct control on the region. However the latest statements suggest president Carles Puigdemont cancelled his visit. Catalonia protesters will surround…

Catalonia prepares to resist Madrid direct rule

The government of Kingdom of Spain says it will impose direct rule on Catalonia from Friday, 27 October onwards, to counter an  independence push qualified as ‘illegal’ within the frame of Spain’s Constitution, invoking unprecedented measures to fire the government of the northeastern region to quell the political dynamics of self-determination, and maintain grip over…

Catalans refuse to obey to Madrid

Catalan authorities will not follow orders from the Spanish government if Madrid moves to reassert control over the region, a senior official says. Catalan President @KRLS: We do what we do because we believe in a democratic & peaceful Europe. The Europe of the Charter of Fundtl. Rights" pic.twitter.com/rgJmrqtwhX — Raül Romeva i Rueda (@raulromeva)…

Basques: Rajoy sets “dangerous precedent”

The Catalonia crisis is rapidly spreading to the other regions of Spain, concerned by their future after Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy decision to apply Article 155, and return freedom-aspiring Catalans to direct rule of Madrid. Basque Nationalist (PNV) spokesman Esteban says Rajoy's "lax and abusive" use of Article 155 in Catalonia "sets a dangerous precedent"….

Rajoy strips off Catalonia freedoms

The Spanish government has approved unprecedented measures to take direct control of the region of Catalonia. WATCH LIVE: Spanish prime minister addresses nation on measures against Catalonia government https://t.co/o6fYR7JHv1 pic.twitter.com/P7aQGxEZWz — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 21, 2017 The decision was taken after a special cabinet meeting, three weeks after the semi-autonomous region held an…

Rajoy vows to “restore law” in Catalonia

Anna van Densky, European Council, Brussels #EUCO Concluding the EU two days October Summit in Brussels Prime minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy declined any definite answers about the Catalan crisis, referring to upcoming governmental meeting on Saturday, which will decide upon action plan to ‘normalise’ situation in the region, and return life into ‘legal’ framework….

Madrid to impose snap elections on Catalonia

MADRID The Spanish government has agreed with the opposition Socialists (PSOE) to hold regional elections in January in Catalonia as part of the extraordinary package of measures to temporarily impose direct rule on the region, Socialist politician Carmen Calvo said in an interview on national television. Spanish government aims for January regional elections in Catalonia:…

Madrid ultimatum tactics failed

A final deadline of prime minister Mariano Rajoy ultimatum to Catalonia to renounce de independence aspirations has passed at 10:00 (local time) on Thursday, 19 October. Madrid wowed to suspend the region’s autonomy in case president Carles Puigdemont does not provide clear proof of alignment to Constitution of Kingdom of Spain, which does not foresee…

Catalonia pushed towards independence

Spain’s political showdown with Catalonia is set to reach a new level on Thursday when political leaders in Madrid and Barcelona are expected to make good on pledges made to their supporters to stick to their tough positions over the region’s future. In an unprecedented action since Spain returned to democracy in the late 1970s,…

Rajoy prepares to impose direct rule on Catalonia

The Kingdom of Spain is anticipating to enter uncharted political territory as the prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, prepares to realise his threat to halt the regional Catalan government’s aspiration of independence by imposing direct rule from Madrid. #SesiónControl @Congreso_Es @marianorajoy pide a @KRLS que "ponga por delante los intereses de todos los ciudadanos" https://t.co/6vcwd6i90e pic.twitter.com/04TWSIw9kf…