catalonian independence

BRUSSELS (AP) — A Belgian court on Friday rejected Spain’s demand to have a former high-ranking politician from the region of Catalonia extradited, in yet another set back for the country’s efforts to try several officials in exile over their alleged roles in an independence referendum that Madrid branded as illegal.

Santiago Abascal, the leader of the populist Spanish party VOX, has vowed to ban separatist parties in Catalonia while praising the Spanish monarchy.

The socialist government of Spain is trying to clamp down on ‘Tsunami Democràtic’, the Catalan separatist group that has taken inspiration from the pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and was behind the mass protests earlier this week at the El Prat Airport in Barcelona.

Supporters of the Catalan separatist movement protested outside of the European Parliament in Strasbourg because pro-independence Members of European Parliament have been barred from taking their seats.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Catalan separatists rallied in downtown Barcelona on Sunday to demand the release of high-profile secessionist leaders being held in pre-trial detention.

Spanish President Mariano Rajoy will visit the White House on Tuesday, where he will reportedly ask President Donald Trump to declare his opposition to the Catalonia independence referendum scheduled for October 1.

The Madrid government has flooded Catalonia with almost ten thousand police officers, stormed Catalonia’s government buildings, confiscated thousands of ballot papers, and arrested Catalonia government officials. To those with long memories, this looks a lot like the beginnings of policies that led to the Spanish Civil War.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The hundreds of thousands of people celebrating Catalonia’s national day in Barcelona have shouted in unison: “Independencia!” (Independence).

SAN SEBASTIAN (SPAIN) (AFP) – Hundreds of Basques turned out on the streets Saturday in support of Catalonia and its planned referendum on independence from Madrid, an ambition long fought for by Basque separatists. The demonstration was symbolic, in a

Several thousand people, many waving Spanish and Catalan flags, rallied in Barcelona on Sunday to oppose a push by the regional government of Catalonia to break away from the rest of Spain.

MADRID (Reuters) – Catalonia’s parliament voted in favour on Thursday of pursuing a referendum on independence next September amid mounting tensions with Spain’s central government over whether the northeastern region can legally break away. The referendum poses a new headache

Catalonia’s separatists are set to vote in a new regional president on Sunday to push for independence from Spain, itself without a government, after the region’s leader stepped aside. The fate of Catalonia has hung in the balance since regional

Spain is facing political chaos after yesterday’s election produced no clear winner and saw a surge in support for the far-left. The governing conservative People’s Party of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy remains the largest party but fell well short of

Catalonia’s regional assembly voted on Monday in favor of a resolution to split from Spain, energizing a drive towards independence and deepening a standoff with central government in Madrid. The declaration, which pro-independence parties in the northeastern region hope will

The United Nations does not view Spain’s separatist-ruled Catalonia region as having the right to self-determination, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said in an interview published Saturday. “Spain is an independent and sovereign country that includes the Catalan region,” Ban told

The Spanish region of Catalonia is to call an election today which its government hopes will act as a proxy vote on independence. The Local reports that regional president Artur Mas will sign a decree that sets 27 September as

Spain’s King Felipe yesterday warned the region of Catalonia to respect the law as separatists threaten to unilaterally declare independence if they win upcoming elections. Regional president Artur Mas has called elections for 27 September, which he wants to turn

The two party system was delivered a blow in Spain’s municipal elections as voters turned their backs on the parties who have dominated the electoral scene since democracy was reintroduced to the country in 1980. The Popular Party (PP) which