About: Catalonia
Spanish government mulls pardon for jailed Catalan separatists
Spain's government is considering pardoning 12 Catalan separatist politicians sentenced in 2017 for their role in holding an illegal independence referendum in the region, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has confirmed. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Pro-independence parties form regional government in Catalonia
After five months of tough negotiations, pro-independence parties in Catalonia have announced they have formed a new coalition government in the northeastern region that staves off the need for fresh regional elections, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain eyes fresh elections in Catalonia to tackle political crisis
A new regional election could be a possible way to unblock the political crisis in Catalonia after separatist parties were unable to reach an agreement and form a pro-independence executive, the Spanish government has said. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Catalonia demands Spain approve AstraZeneca jab for over-55s
Catalonia's regional government has issued an ultimatum to the central Spanish government in Madrid demanding it approve the AstraZeneca vaccine for people over the age of 55, warning that “either they act or we will act,” EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Tough negotiations for a likely pro-independence government in Catalonia begin
After the narrow win of socialist party candidate Salvador Illa in Catalonia's regional elections on Sunday (14 February), the first round of negotiations began on Monday to build a new – likely pro-independence – government in Spain's most prosperous region, EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports.
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.
Catalonia election preparations hindered by COVID-19 ‘objectors’
Ahead of key regional elections due to be held on 14 February, over 9,000 citizens in Catalonia have asked the Election Board to be exempted from taking part as members of polling stations for fear of being infected with the coronavirus. EURACTIV’s partner, Efe, reports.
Fresh polls predict tie between separatist parties in Catalan elections
Fresh polls predict a virtual “technical tie” between the two main pro-independence parties in the elections to be held in Catalonia on 14 February. Socialist candidate and Spain's former health minister Salvador Illa is predicted to come third. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Spain’s health minister leaves to run as socialist candidate in Catalan elections
Spain’s health minister, Salvador Illa, officially resigned on Tuesday (26 January), after just over a year in office, to run in the upcoming elections in Catalonia scheduled for 14 February. Illa’s exit prompted some criticism, as well as a slight reshuffle in the Spanish coalition government, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Spain passes budget in boost for minority government
Spain's Senate approved Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's budget for 2021 on Tuesday (22 December), boosting his minority Socialist-led government after years of political instability.
Madrid toasts lockdown easing as outdoor terraces partially reopen
Four friends sat around a table in Madrid’s central La Latina neighbourhood and enjoyed a round of beers in the late Monday morning sun, a toast to rediscovered freedoms. A year ago, it would have seemed like a perfectly ordinary spring day, but for most Madrid residents today, it was almost a landmark event.
Coronavirus waste: Burn it or dump it?
Masks, gloves, and other contaminated garbage from hospitals and households, which have been piling up by the thousands of tons as Spain battled through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, have undermined recycling chains and overwhelmed processing plants.
Catalan separatists pave the way for Spain’s future ‘progressive’ budget
The Spanish left-wing coalition government on Thursday (27 February) scored its first major political success, after the Parliament in Madrid approved the expenditure ceiling, a preliminary step for approving the new budget for the four-year legislature, EURACTIV's partner EuroEFE reports.
Spanish, Catalan leaders agree to start ‘constructive dialogue’ this month
Spain’s socialist prime minister Pedro Sánchez and Catalonia's regional president Quim Torra agreed on Thursday (6 February) to start a "constructive dialogue" in order to break the country's political impasse and solve the "political conflict" in Catalonia, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Spain’s lawmakers likely to back Sanchez coalition in tight vote
Spanish lawmakers are expected to vote by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday (7 January) to confirm Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez as head of a left-wing coalition government.
Brussels court suspends extradition of ex-Catalan leader Puigdemont
A Brussels court has suspended the extradition of former Catalan pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont, his lawyer said on Thursday (2 January).
Spain’s socialists and Catalan separatists inch closer to deal, despite tensions
An agreement between the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and caretaker socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is "within reach", paving the way for broader government coalition talks. EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports.
Catalan president insists on ‘right to self-determination’ to unlock political stalemate
Quim Torra, the president of Catalonia, insisted on Tuesday (17 December) on the “right to self-determination” for the prosperous Spanish region, before giving his support – and that of Catalan separatist political forces - to the investiture of acting socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spanish media reported.
Socialists and Podemos reach deal for a ‘progressive’ government in Spain
Spain's ruling Socialists and leftist Unidas Podemos have reached an agreement for a “progressive” government after Sunday's general elections, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the leader of Unidas Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, announced on Tuesday (12 November).
EU advocate general: jailed Catalan leader has right to immunity as MEP-elect
The jailed Catalan pro-independence leader Oriol Junqueras has the right to immunity as a result of being elected member of the European Parliament in May, the EU Advocate General Maciej Szpunar said in his conclusions on Tuesday (12 November).
Ahead of election, Spain braces for weeks of violent protests after ‘historic’ sentence
Less than a month before a fresh general election, Spain enters one of the most complex and volatile periods in its recent democratic history, after the Supreme Court sentenced on Monday nine Catalan independence leaders for their involvement in the banned 2017 independence referendum. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Spain’s Supreme Court jails Catalan leaders amid protests
Nine Catalan politicians and activists have on Monday been sentenced to up to 13 years in prison by Spain's Supreme Court for their involvement in a banned referendum in 2017, amid strong reactions from separatists.
Catalan separatists march for independence amid splits on tactics
Tens of thousands of Catalans waving pro-independence flags and chanting "Independence now!" gathered in Barcelona on Wednesday (11 September) to call for a break from Spain, but turnout was far less than at past such rallies amid divisions among separatist parties.