About: separatism
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.
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.
Stormy protest in Barcelona after Germany arrests Puigdemont
Thousands of Catalan separatists hit the streets of Barcelona on Sunday (25 March), vowing the arrest of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont in Germany would not stop their push for independence.
Rajoy has an issue with Western Balkans summit in Sofia
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has told his Bulgarian colleague Boyko Borissov in no uncertain terms that he has a problem with the Western Balkans summit in Sofia, scheduled for 17 May, and may not even come if Kosovo is participating.
Bosnian Serb leader says independence ‘legitimate goal’
The leader of Bosnia's Serbs said Tuesday that they were moving towards the "highest possible" level of independence, which he said was a legitimate political goal in a country deeply divided since its 1990s war.
Nationalist gains in Corsica set to pose dilemma for Macron
Nationalists on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica cemented gains in regional elections on Sunday (10 December), underpinned by their demands for greater autonomy from Paris.
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.
Italian regions vote in favour of autonomy in shadow of Catalonia crisis
Two wealthy regions of northern Italy voted overwhelmingly yesterday (22 October) for greater autonomy in referendums that could fan regional tensions in Europe at a time when Spain is striving to prevent Catalonia from breaking away.
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.
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.
Several killed in Cameroon as anglophones declare ‘independent Ambazonia’
Soldiers shot at least eight people dead in Cameroon's restive anglophone belt at the weekend as a separatist group made a symbolic declaration of independence.
More than 760 injured in Catalonia during referendum-Catalan regional government
Around 760 people have been injured in disturbances across Catalonia on Sunday (1 October) according to the latest figures released by the regional government, as riot police clashed with people who had gathered for a banned referendum on the region’s independence from Spain.
Catalonian independence: Juncker ventures into unchartered waters
Jean-Claude Juncker likely infuriated Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Thursday (14 September) by saying that if Catalonians voted to secede from Spain in next month's referendum, the Commission would respect the outcome.
Basque ETA confirms 8 April disarmament
The Basque separatist group ETA has confirmed it will disarm on Saturday (8 April), in a letter published by the BBC.
Moscow ‘anti-globalisation’ conference stirs up European and American separatists
The Kremlin last week supported a conference of separatist movements in Moscow, with guests from Europe, the Middle East and the US. Similar movements are banned in Russia, where separatists face up to five years in prison. EURACTIV France reports.
Spain takes step toward grand coalition
Spanish political parties are poised to name a Socialist lawmaker as parliamentary speaker today (13 January), in the first pact between rival forces struggling to form a government after an election last month.
Failed Catalan government makes another Spanish election more likely
Catalan far-left party CUP said yesterday (3 January) it would not support acting regional head Artur Mas in his bid for another term, forcing new local elections, and increasing the likelihood Spain may have to return to the ballot box.
Catalan parliament takes first steps towards independence
The Catalan parliament has this week adopted a resolution calling for the process of "disconnection" from Spain to be launched. But disunity in the separatist camp could derail the process. Our partner La Tribune reports.
Catalan separatists win majority in parliament, set course to independence
Separatists on Sunday (27 September) won a clear majority of seats in Catalonia's parliament, in an election that sets the region on a collision course with Spain's central government over independence.
Catalonia faces wall of Spanish indifference, regional government says
A Catalan election this month, which the pro-independence movement has billed as a proxy on independence, is due to indifference to Catalan demands shown by Madrid, the head of the regional government said on Wednesday (2 September).
Ignacio Molina: Catalan separatists will never gain EU support
Many of the most radical Catalan separatists believe the autonomous elections on 27 September 27 this year will open the door to the question of secession from Spain. Researcher Ignacio Molina believes this is a dangerous idea.
Russian seizure of Georgian pipeline has dangerous implications
Taras Nazarenko urges Europe to wake up and notice Russia’s new weapon: seizing its neighbours' pipelines.
Catalonia calls regional election step towards independence
Catalonia's two main parties yesterday (26 November) moved a step closer to calling a snap regional election they want to use as a proxy for a referendum on independence from Spain.