About: Catalonia referendum
Catalan separatists increase majority, dialogue with Madrid in sight
Separatist parties won enough seats on Sunday (14 February) in Catalonia’s regional parliament to strengthen their majority, although a strong showing for the local branch of Spain’s ruling Socialists pointed to a dialogue, rather than breakup, with Madrid.
Catalan separatists pack Barcelona to demand split from Spain
Around one million people filled central Barcelona on Tuesday to celebrate Catalonia's commemorative day and boost a bid for independence which has left deep divisions almost a year after it brought Spain to a constitutional crisis.
Catalan leader calls on Madrid to agree to independence referendum
Catalan leader Quim Torra relaunched a campaign to split his region from Spain on Tuesday (4 September), calling on the central government in Madrid to agree to a referendum on independence and rebuffing a vote that could only offer greater autonomy.
Kosovo is not Catalonia, Kosovo’s Thaci tells absent Spanish PM Rajoy
Pristina ‘understands’ the decision of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy not to attend the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia, but “Kosovo is not Catalonia”, Kosovo's President Hashim Thaçi told EURACTIV.com.
Puigdemont steps down, names successor for Catalonia’s presidency
Carles Puigdemont, the former president of Catalonia who organised the illegal independence referendum in October 2017, nominated on Thursday (10 May) a pro-independence politician as his successor at the head of Spain’s rebellious region.
The Brief – Spain’s judicial headaches
Spain became embroiled this week in various judicial quagmires. Cases affecting two fugitives, one of its nationals abroad and a foreigner in the Peninsula, tested the relationship between politics and justice, and Spain’s handling of the Catalan issue.
Fact or Fake: Is Madrid staging a ‘coup d’état’ in Catalonia?
As Catalans descend on Brussels for a pro-independence rally on Thursday (7 December), EURACTIV's Frédéric Simon goes over some of the claims made by their exiled leader, Carles Puigdemont.
Sacked Catalan leader challenges EU to respect election outcome
Catalonia's former leader challenged Spain and the European Union to respect the result of Catalan regional elections in December, saying Madrid would have to end direct rule if separatists win.
Bulgaria’s Simeon: Time to leave a mark after so many years of isolation
In an exclusive interview in his Vrana Palace near Sofia on 17 November 2017, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha shared his thoughts on the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. A version of this interview on the website BulgarianPresidency.eu contains the original transcript in Bulgarian.
Rajoy vows to defeat separatists in Catalan election
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Tuesday (14 November) he hopes to defeat separatists in next month's Catalan election, which will be dominated by regional lawmakers' independence drive, calling for a "massive" turnout by voters.
Puigdemont fate hangs on Belgium’s European arrest warrant response
A Belgian judge has granted conditional release to sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his ministers, and the group is scheduled to appear in court within 15 days, Belgian prosecutors said on Monday (6 November).
Dismissed Catalonia leader Puigdemont said to be in Brussels
Catalonia's dismissed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont was in Brussels on Monday (30 October), a Spanish government source said, as prosecutors called for him to be charged with rebellion over his drive for Catalan independence.
Diplomatic row between Greece and Spain’s ambassador over Catalonia
Greece called on Spain's ambassador to Athens on Sunday (29 October) to revoke statements to a Greek newspaper suggesting that the government was not supportive of Spanish unity.
Catalan parliament defies Madrid, declares independence
Catalonia's parliament declared independence from Spain in a historic vote on Friday (27 October), setting the scene for a showdown with Madrid, which has announced it would strip the breakaway region of its autonomy.
Moedas: ‘What’s going around in Spain is very difficult for all sides’
Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation admitted that the dramatic events and tensions in Spain over Catalonia were “very difficult for all the sides”, but repeated the official position of the EU executive that the constitutional order in Spain should prevail.
S&D chief works for a progressive alliance away from ‘Orbánising’ EPP
There should be a clear distinction between the right and the left in European politics and the EU socialists should open the door to other anti-austerity progressive forces as well as to those who do not want to follow the “Orbánisation” of the centre-right, S&D leader Gianni Pittella told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Caixabank’s move to transfer HQ is permanent, sees deposit loss
Caixabank's decision to move its legal headquarters out of Catalonia to calm investors was permanent, the lender's CEO said yesterday (24 October), saying the crisis between Spain and Catalonia had prompted some deposit outflows.
Catalonia warns of civil disobedience as Madrid readies direct rule
Catalonia said on Monday it was confident all officials including police would defy attempts by Madrid to enforce direct rule on the region, in an escalating dispute that has raised fears of unrest among Spain's European allies.
Catalan separatists weigh options ahead of crucial week
Catalonia's separatists weighed their options on Sunday (22 October) ahead of a week that will see Spain take the drastic step of sacking the region's government as well as calling fresh elections to try and stop the country breaking up.
Only Belgium breaks ranks in EU unity with Madrid
As the Spanish government vowed to take back powers from the Catalan regional government, EU leaders closed ranks behind Madrid on the first day of the EU summit yesterday (19 October), with only Belgium’s Prime Minister Charles Michel urging moderation and dialogue.
Spain moves to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy
Spain will move to suspend Catalonia's autonomy, the government said on Thursday (18 October), after Catalan President Carles Puigdemont refused to drop the region's drive to break away from Madrid following the 1 October independence vote.
EU summit begins with ultimatum day in Catalonia
Spain's political showdown with Catalonia is set to reach a new level on Thursday (19 October) 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.
Spain threatens to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy in crisis
Spain threatened today (11 October) to suspend Catalonia's autonomy if it follows through on its threat to break away as an independent country.