The vote pits leaders of the wealthy northeastern region's separatist movement against parties that want to remain in Spain

Independence or not? Catalans vote in decisive election

Catalonia`s deposed leader Carles Puigdemont Saturday launched his campaign for regional elections by calling on Catalans to make known their desire for independence

Polls must 'ratify' Catalonia's desire for independence: Puigdemont

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans marched Saturday to demand the release of regional officials jailed for their push for independence from Spain, which has left the country mired in a political crisis

Catalans inundate Barcelona to demand leaders' freedom

Last week, the Spanish government had seized control of Catalonia, sacking its police chief after the Catalan regional parliament's independence declaration

Catalan parliament's independence declaration unconstitutional and void: Spanish court

Catalan secessionist parties on Tuesday failed to agree on a united ticket to contest a December snap regional election, making it more difficult to rule the region after the vote and press ahead with their collective bid to split from Spain

Catalan secessionist parties fail to agree on unity ticket for December vote

Carles Puigdemont and four of his former ministers were released with conditions in Belgium on Sunday

Sacked Catalan leader Puigdemont freed on bail in Belgium

A Spanish judge issued an EU arrest warrant for Catalonia's deposed separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, a day after he failed to appear for questioning over his role in the region's tumultuous independence drive

Spanish judge issues arrest warrant for Catalan leader Puigdemont

The ministers have been detained pending a potential trial for alleged sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds

Spanish judge jails 8 ex-Catalan ministers, fresh protests erupt

A total of 19 people including Puigdemont, his deputy Oriol Junqueras and the speaker of the Catalan regional parliament had been summoned to be questioned on Thursday.

Spanish prosecutors seek EU arrest warrant for Puigdemont

Barcelona-based La Vanguardia said Puigdemont had taken the decision in a bid to convince the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy not to enforce the direct rule in the region

Catalan head Puigdemont set to call regional election: Media

Firefighters, teachers, and students weighed into the dispute, warning of strikes and protests, at the start of a crucial week in Spain`s deepest political crisis in decades.

Catalan separatists vow disobedience as Spain standoff mounts

In an unprecedented move since Spain returned to democracy in the late 1970s, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will impose direct rule in Catalonia unless the region's leader Carles Puigdemont retracts by 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) an ambiguous declaration of independence he made last week.

Spain-Catalonia standoff set to intensify

Madrid has threatened to put Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of Spain?s economy, under direct central rule if its regional government does not abandon independence by Thursday.

Catalonia refuses to renounce independence, separatist protesters rally

Saenz de Santamaria said, "Mr Puigdemont still has the opportunity to start resolving this situation, he?must?answer 'yes' or 'no' to the declaration (of?independence)"

Catalan leader must drop independence by Thursday: Spain Deputy PM

Catalonia's leader Carles Puigdemont said the region won the right to break away from Spain

Catalan leader threatens independence after winning 90% of vote