The Spanish cabinet was meeting on Saturday to decide how it will impose direct rule on Catalonia and thwart a drive by the autonomous region to breakaway from Spain.

It will be the first time in Spain&#39;s four decades of democracy that the central government has invoked the constitutional right to take control of a region and rule it directly from Madrid.

Independence supporters were due to rally in the Catalan capital Barcelona on Saturday afternoon.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insists that Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who heads the wealthy northeastern region&#39;s government, has broken the law several times in pushing for independence, thus justifying the imposition of central government control.

In an internal explanatory memorandum obtained by Reuters, the government said its objective was to restore the law, make sure the regional institutions were neutral, and to guarantee public services and economic activity as well as preserve the civil rights of all citizens.

&quot;The rulers of Catalonia have respected neither the law on which is based our democracy nor the general interest,&quot; the government said.

&quot;This situation is unsustainable...and needs to be dealt with through the activation of the powers that the Article 155 of the constitution gives to the government,&quot; it said.

Direct rule would be temporary and could range from dismissing the regional government to a softer approach of removing heads of specific departments.

The exact measures must be agreed and voted upon in Spain&#39;s upper house, the Senate, and Rajoy wants the broadest consensus possible.

The main opposition Socialists said on Friday they would back special measures and had agreed on the holding of regional elections in January.

The government declined to confirm this, saying only that regional elections were likely and the details would be announced on Saturday.

&#39;Unacceptable secession attempt&#39;

Rajoy received the backing of the head of state, King Felipe, on Friday, who said at a public ceremony that &quot;Catalonia is and will remain an essential part&quot; of Spain.

&quot;Spain needs to face up to an unacceptable secession attempt on its national territory, which it will resolve through its legitimate democratic institutions,&quot; said the king, a ceremonial figure who had criticised Catalan leaders earlier this month.

The independence push has brought on Spain&#39;s worst political crisis since a failed military coup in 1981 several years after the end of the Franco dictatorship. It has met with strong opposition across the rest of Spain, divided Catalonia itself, and raised the prospect of prolonged street protests

It has also led Madrid to cut economic growth forecasts and prompted hundreds of firms to move their headquarters from Catalonia. Spain has the euro zone&#39;s fourth-largest economy and Catalonia accounts for a fifth of it.

Pro-independence groups have mustered more than one million people onto the streets in protest at Madrid&#39;s refusal to negotiate a solution. Heavy-handed police tactics to shut down a an independence referendum on Oct. 1 that the government had declared illegal drew criticism from human rights groups.

Regional authorities said about 90 percent of those who cast ballots voted for independence. But only 43 percent of voters participated and opponents of secession mostly stayed home.

Puigdemont stopped short of making a unilateral declaration of independence following the referendum, but on Thursday he threatened to do so unless the government agreed to a dialogue. He accused Madrid of &quot;repression&quot;.

Activist organisations ANC and Omnium have called on their supporters to rally at 1500 GMT in Barcelona, the region&#39;s principal city, in protest at the jailing of their leaders over sedition accusations.

Should direct rule be imposed, it will be the first time in four decades of democracy that Madrid has invoked the constitutional right to take control of a region and rule it directly from Madrid

The Spanish cabinet was meeting on Saturday to decide how it will impose direct rule on Catalonia and thwart a drive by the autonomous region to breakaway from Spain. It will be the first time in Spain's four decades of democracy that the central government has invoked the constitutional right to take control of a region and rule it directly from Madrid. Independence supporters were due to rally in the Catalan capital Barcelona on Saturday afternoon. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy insists that Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who heads the wealthy northeastern region's government, has broken the law several times in pushing for independence, thus justifying the imposition of central government control. In an internal explanatory memorandum obtained by Reuters, the government said its objective was to restore the law, make sure the regional institutions were neutral, and to guarantee public services and economic activity as well as preserve the civil rights of all citizens. "The rulers of Catalonia have respected neither the law on which is based our democracy nor the general interest," the government said. "This situation is unsustainable...and needs to be dealt with through the activation of the powers that the Article 155 of the constitution gives to the government," it said. Direct rule would be temporary and could range from dismissing the regional government to a softer approach of removing heads of specific departments. The exact measures must be agreed and voted upon in Spain's upper house, the Senate, and Rajoy wants the broadest consensus possible. The main opposition Socialists said on Friday they would back special measures and had agreed on the holding of regional elections in January. The government declined to confirm this, saying only that regional elections were likely and the details would be announced on Saturday. 'Unacceptable secession attempt' Rajoy received the backing of the head of state, King Felipe, on Friday, who said at a public ceremony that "Catalonia is and will remain an essential part" of Spain. "Spain needs to face up to an unacceptable secession attempt on its national territory, which it will resolve through its legitimate democratic institutions," said the king, a ceremonial figure who had criticised Catalan leaders earlier this month. The independence push has brought on Spain's worst political crisis since a failed military coup in 1981 several years after the end of the Franco dictatorship. It has met with strong opposition across the rest of Spain, divided Catalonia itself, and raised the prospect of prolonged street protests It has also led Madrid to cut economic growth forecasts and prompted hundreds of firms to move their headquarters from Catalonia. Spain has the euro zone's fourth-largest economy and Catalonia accounts for a fifth of it. Pro-independence groups have mustered more than one million people onto the streets in protest at Madrid's refusal to negotiate a solution. Heavy-handed police tactics to shut down a an independence referendum on Oct. 1 that the government had declared illegal drew criticism from human rights groups. Regional authorities said about 90 percent of those who cast ballots voted for independence. But only 43 percent of voters participated and opponents of secession mostly stayed home. Puigdemont stopped short of making a unilateral declaration of independence following the referendum, but on Thursday he threatened to do so unless the government agreed to a dialogue. He accused Madrid of "repression". Activist organisations ANC and Omnium have called on their supporters to rally at 1500 GMT in Barcelona, the region's principal city, in protest at the jailing of their leaders over sedition accusations.

Spanish government meets to impose direct rule on Catalonia

Spain will on Saturday take unprecedented steps to seize powers from Catalonia&#39;s separatist government after Madrid won powerful backing from the king and the EU in its battle to keep the country together.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet with his cabinet at 10.00 am (0800 GMT) to set out specific powers it plans to take away from the wealthy northeast region, which currently enjoys wide autonomy including control over its own policing, education and healthcare.

The measures -- which take the country into uncharted legal waters -- come after Spain&#39;s King Felipe VI on Friday blasted what he said was an &quot;unacceptable secession attempt&quot; and said the crisis sparked by the region&#39;s banned October 1 independence referendum must be resolved &quot;through legitimate democratic institutions&quot;.

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&quot;We do not want to give up that which we have built together,&quot; he pleaded.

Madrid enjoys constitutional powers to wrest back control of rebellious regions in one of the Western world&#39;s most decentralised nations, but it has never used them.

Autonomy is a hugely sensitive issue in semi-autonomous Catalonia, which saw its powers taken away under Spain&#39;s military dictatorship. Home to 7.5 million people, the region fiercely defends its own language and culture.

&#39;Critical point&#39; 
There are fears of unrest if Madrid seeks to impose direct rule of any kind, and Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has said such a move could push regional lawmakers to declare unilateral independence.

But Rajoy said Friday that Spain had reached a &quot;critical point&quot; after weeks of political limbo and that his government had to act to stop the rule of law being &quot;liquidated&quot;.

Rajoy is likely to announce plans to take control of Catalonia&#39;s 16,000-strong police force, the Mossos d&#39;Esquadra, whose leader Josep Lluis Trapero could face up to 15 years in jail on sedition charges for failing to contain separatist protests ahead of the referendum.

Madrid could also seek to force new elections -- its preferred solution to Spain&#39;s most protracted political crisis since it returned to democracy in 1977 -- as early as January.

Rajoy is due to hold a press conference early Saturday afternoon to announce his plans, which must pass through the Senate where his conservative Popular Party holds a majority -- a process that would take about a week.

Speaking on Friday night at the Princess of Asturias Awards -- Spain&#39;s answer to the Nobels -- King Felipe described Catalonia as &quot;an essential part of 21st century Spain&quot;.

&#39;Hellish mess&#39; 
EU leaders, who were at the ceremony to collect a prize for encouraging harmony in Europe, used their acceptance speeches to demand respect for the law in words that offered implicit backing to Madrid.

&quot;Some are sowing discord by deliberately ignoring law,&quot; Tajani said at the awards night in the northern city of Oviedo.

He added pointedly: &quot;All too often in the past the prospect of redrawing borders has been presented as a heavenly panacea that has resulted in a hellish mess.&quot;

As tensions continue to run high, independence supporters are set to rally in Barcelona Saturday evening calling for the release of Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, the leaders of two powerful grassroots separatist groups who have been in jail since Monday pending investigation into sedition charges.

Puigdemont says he has a mandate to declare independence after the referendum, which his administration says resulted in a 90 percent Yes vote.

But turnout was given as only 43 percent as many Catalans who back unity stayed away from the banned vote.

Accounting for about a fifth of Spain&#39;s economic output, Catalonia is evenly split over whether to break away from Spain, according to polls.

Supporters say the wealthy region does too much to prop up the rest of the national economy and would thrive if it went its own way, but opponents say Catalonia is stronger as part of Spain and that a split would spell economic and political disaster.

Nearly 1,200 companies that have shifted their registered domiciles to other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability.

Madrid this week cut its national growth forecast for next year from 2.6 percent to 2.3 percent, saying the standoff was creating uncertainty.

Catalonia currently enjoys a wide degree of autonomy, including control over its policing, education, and healthcare

Spain will on Saturday take unprecedented steps to seize powers from Catalonia's separatist government after Madrid won powerful backing from the king and the EU in its battle to keep the country together. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet with his cabinet at 10.00 am (0800 GMT) to set out specific powers it plans to take away from the wealthy northeast region, which currently enjoys wide autonomy including control over its own policing, education and healthcare. The measures -- which take the country into uncharted legal waters -- come after Spain's King Felipe VI on Friday blasted what he said was an "unacceptable secession attempt" and said the crisis sparked by the region's banned October 1 independence referendum must be resolved "through legitimate democratic institutions". Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet with his cabinet at 0800 GMT to set out specific powers it plans to take away from the wealthy northeast region × "We do not want to give up that which we have built together," he pleaded. Madrid enjoys constitutional powers to wrest back control of rebellious regions in one of the Western world's most decentralised nations, but it has never used them. Autonomy is a hugely sensitive issue in semi-autonomous Catalonia, which saw its powers taken away under Spain's military dictatorship. Home to 7.5 million people, the region fiercely defends its own language and culture. 'Critical point' There are fears of unrest if Madrid seeks to impose direct rule of any kind, and Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has said such a move could push regional lawmakers to declare unilateral independence. But Rajoy said Friday that Spain had reached a "critical point" after weeks of political limbo and that his government had to act to stop the rule of law being "liquidated". Rajoy is likely to announce plans to take control of Catalonia's 16,000-strong police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, whose leader Josep Lluis Trapero could face up to 15 years in jail on sedition charges for failing to contain separatist protests ahead of the referendum. Madrid could also seek to force new elections -- its preferred solution to Spain's most protracted political crisis since it returned to democracy in 1977 -- as early as January. Rajoy is due to hold a press conference early Saturday afternoon to announce his plans, which must pass through the Senate where his conservative Popular Party holds a majority -- a process that would take about a week. Speaking on Friday night at the Princess of Asturias Awards -- Spain's answer to the Nobels -- King Felipe described Catalonia as "an essential part of 21st century Spain". 'Hellish mess' EU leaders, who were at the ceremony to collect a prize for encouraging harmony in Europe, used their acceptance speeches to demand respect for the law in words that offered implicit backing to Madrid. "Some are sowing discord by deliberately ignoring law," Tajani said at the awards night in the northern city of Oviedo. He added pointedly: "All too often in the past the prospect of redrawing borders has been presented as a heavenly panacea that has resulted in a hellish mess." As tensions continue to run high, independence supporters are set to rally in Barcelona Saturday evening calling for the release of Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, the leaders of two powerful grassroots separatist groups who have been in jail since Monday pending investigation into sedition charges. Puigdemont says he has a mandate to declare independence after the referendum, which his administration says resulted in a 90 percent Yes vote. But turnout was given as only 43 percent as many Catalans who back unity stayed away from the banned vote. Accounting for about a fifth of Spain's economic output, Catalonia is evenly split over whether to break away from Spain, according to polls. Supporters say the wealthy region does too much to prop up the rest of the national economy and would thrive if it went its own way, but opponents say Catalonia is stronger as part of Spain and that a split would spell economic and political disaster. Nearly 1,200 companies that have shifted their registered domiciles to other parts of Spain since the referendum, hoping to minimise instability. Madrid this week cut its national growth forecast for next year from 2.6 percent to 2.3 percent, saying the standoff was creating uncertainty.

Spain expected to take back powers from Catalonia

Spain&#39;s central government said on Thursday it would suspend <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalonia-refuses-to-renounce-independence-separatist-protesters-rally-22577" target="_blank">Catalonia</a>&#39;s autonomy and impose direct rule after the region&#39;s leader threatened to go ahead with a formal declaration of independence if Madrid refused to hold talks.

In an act unprecedented since Spain returned to democracy in the late 1970s, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he would hold a special cabinet meeting on Saturday that could trigger the move. The Socialist opposition said it backed the government but suggested the measures should be limited in scope and time.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/allies-press-catalan-leader-to-declare-full-independence-ignore-madrid-deadlines-22422" target="_blank">Catalan president Carles Puigdemont</a>, ignoring a 10 am deadline to drop his secession campaign, wrote a letter to Rajoy threatening a formal declaration of independence.

The war of words increased uncertainty over a standoff that has raised fears of social unrest, cut growth prospects for the euro zone&#39;s fourth-largest economy and rattled the euro.

&quot;If the government continues to impede dialogue and continues with the repression, the Catalan parliament could proceed, if it is considered opportune, to vote on a formal declaration of independence,&quot; Puigdemont said.

Catalonia, which has a distinctive culture and language, triggered Spain&#39;s biggest political crisis for decades with a secession bid it put to a referendum on October 1. Only 43 per cent of voters participated but those who did voted overwhelmingly to secede, while opponents of secession mostly stayed home.

Spanish courts have ruled the referendum illegal, but <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/catalan-independence-all-eyes-on-carles-puidgemont-as-deadline-looms-6047" target="_blank">Puigdemont</a> says the result is binding and must be obeyed.

The European Union declined to help mediate, saying the crisis was for Madrid and Barcelona to resolve.

&quot;Member states are clear there is no room or space for any kind of mediation,&quot; European Council President Donald Tusk told a news conference during an EU leaders summit in Brussels.

The regional authorities have not made clear how and when a declaration of independence would take place and whether it would be endorsed by the regional assembly. Some pro-independence lawmakers have said they want to hold a vote in the Catalan parliament to lend it a more solemn character.

Rajoy plans to invoke Article 155 of the 1978 constitution, which allows taking control of a region if it breaks the law.

A senior government source said the exact measures would be agreed on Saturday and probably voted through the upper house Senate on October 30, giving the secessionists a few days of leeway to respond before Madrid takes control.

The regional authorities could use that time to split unilaterally, call elections in the hope of strengthening their mandate, or back down, although this is seen as highly unlikely.

&quot;From the moment the measures are known, the regional government knows what&#39;s going to happen and has a period of time to act until 155 can be acted upon,&quot; the source said.

Spanish stocks, bonds and the euro all suffered in early trade, but recovered, a bounce some strategists attributed to a sense that Madrid had the upper hand in the standoff.

Law Unclear

The terms of Article 155 are vague and could spur more wrangling with the restive region.

&quot;The government will use all the tools available to restore as soon as possible the law and the constitutional order, recover peaceful cohabitation between citizens and stop the economic damage that the legal uncertainty is creating,&quot; government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said in a statement.

Rajoy&#39;s team met members of the socialist party to coordinate their next steps. A spokesman for the Socialists said while they fully stood behind the government they would insist Article 155 is applied in the most proportionate way.

Madrid&#39;s options range from closing down the regional parliament and expelling lawmakers, to a softer and more targeted approach, the government source said. Theoretically, the central administration could take control of the region&#39;s finances and police, and call a snap election.

But some members of the Catalan government have already questioned this interpretation of the constitution, suggesting the stand-off could extend for at least several more days.

Carles Riera, a lawmaker from the pro-independence CUP party whose 10 deputies are vital to Puigdemont&#39;s coalition, said dialogue with the Spanish state now looked impossible, and called on the leader to formalise a declaration of independence.

&quot;From our point of view, the sooner this happens the better,&quot; Riera told Reuters in the Catalan capital Barcelona.

Impatience is also setting in among residents of the port city. Merche, 55, who voted for secession in the referendum, said she was tired of the political to-and-fro.

&quot;People want a resolution. Go for one thing or the other, but leave people in peace to carry on with their routine and their work,&quot; she said, rearranging lettuces on her market stall.

Puigdemont has already defied Rajoy once this week when he ignored the first deadline to drop the independence campaign and instead called for talks.

Rajoy says the Catalan government has repeatedly broken the law, including when it held the banned referendum and when it made a symbolic declaration of independence on Oct. 10, only to suspend it seconds later.

Puigdemont says a violent police crackdown during the referendum and arrests of pro-independence leaders on charges of sedition show the Spanish state has become authoritarian.

Spain's central government said it would impose direct rule after the region's leader threatened to go ahead with a formal declaration of independence if Madrid refused to hold talks

Spain's central government said on Thursday it would suspend Catalonia's autonomy and impose direct rule after the region's leader threatened to go ahead with a formal declaration of independence if Madrid refused to hold talks. In an act unprecedented since Spain returned to democracy in the late 1970s, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he would hold a special cabinet meeting on Saturday that could trigger the move. The Socialist opposition said it backed the government but suggested the measures should be limited in scope and time. Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, ignoring a 10 am deadline to drop his secession campaign, wrote a letter to Rajoy threatening a formal declaration of independence. The war of words increased uncertainty over a standoff that has raised fears of social unrest, cut growth prospects for the euro zone's fourth-largest economy and rattled the euro. "If the government continues to impede dialogue and continues with the repression, the Catalan parliament could proceed, if it is considered opportune, to vote on a formal declaration of independence," Puigdemont said. Catalonia, which has a distinctive culture and language, triggered Spain's biggest political crisis for decades with a secession bid it put to a referendum on October 1. Only 43 per cent of voters participated but those who did voted overwhelmingly to secede, while opponents of secession mostly stayed home. Spanish courts have ruled the referendum illegal, but Puigdemont says the result is binding and must be obeyed. The European Union declined to help mediate, saying the crisis was for Madrid and Barcelona to resolve. "Member states are clear there is no room or space for any kind of mediation," European Council President Donald Tusk told a news conference during an EU leaders summit in Brussels. The regional authorities have not made clear how and when a declaration of independence would take place and whether it would be endorsed by the regional assembly. Some pro-independence lawmakers have said they want to hold a vote in the Catalan parliament to lend it a more solemn character. Rajoy plans to invoke Article 155 of the 1978 constitution, which allows taking control of a region if it breaks the law. A senior government source said the exact measures would be agreed on Saturday and probably voted through the upper house Senate on October 30, giving the secessionists a few days of leeway to respond before Madrid takes control. The regional authorities could use that time to split unilaterally, call elections in the hope of strengthening their mandate, or back down, although this is seen as highly unlikely. "From the moment the measures are known, the regional government knows what's going to happen and has a period of time to act until 155 can be acted upon," the source said. Spanish stocks, bonds and the euro all suffered in early trade, but recovered, a bounce some strategists attributed to a sense that Madrid had the upper hand in the standoff. Law Unclear The terms of Article 155 are vague and could spur more wrangling with the restive region. "The government will use all the tools available to restore as soon as possible the law and the constitutional order, recover peaceful cohabitation between citizens and stop the economic damage that the legal uncertainty is creating," government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo said in a statement. Rajoy's team met members of the socialist party to coordinate their next steps. A spokesman for the Socialists said while they fully stood behind the government they would insist Article 155 is applied in the most proportionate way. Madrid's options range from closing down the regional parliament and expelling lawmakers, to a softer and more targeted approach, the government source said. Theoretically, the central administration could take control of the region's finances and police, and call a snap election. But some members of the Catalan government have already questioned this interpretation of the constitution, suggesting the stand-off could extend for at least several more days. Carles Riera, a lawmaker from the pro-independence CUP party whose 10 deputies are vital to Puigdemont's coalition, said dialogue with the Spanish state now looked impossible, and called on the leader to formalise a declaration of independence. "From our point of view, the sooner this happens the better," Riera told Reuters in the Catalan capital Barcelona. Impatience is also setting in among residents of the port city. Merche, 55, who voted for secession in the referendum, said she was tired of the political to-and-fro. "People want a resolution. Go for one thing or the other, but leave people in peace to carry on with their routine and their work," she said, rearranging lettuces on her market stall. Puigdemont has already defied Rajoy once this week when he ignored the first deadline to drop the independence campaign and instead called for talks. Rajoy says the Catalan government has repeatedly broken the law, including when it held the banned referendum and when it made a symbolic declaration of independence on Oct. 10, only to suspend it seconds later. Puigdemont says a violent police crackdown during the referendum and arrests of pro-independence leaders on charges of sedition show the Spanish state has become authoritarian.

Spain to suspend Catalonia's autonomy in response to independence threat

Catalonia refused on Tuesday to bow to the Spanish government&rsquo;s demand that it renounce a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalonia-stops-short-of-formal-independence-declaration-to-allow-talks-21251">symbolic declaration of independence</a>, setting it on a political collision course with Madrid later this week.

Madrid has threatened to put Catalonia, which accounts for a fifth of Spain&rsquo;s economy, under direct central rule if its regional government does not abandon independence by Thursday.

But Catalonia&rsquo;s government rejected Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy&rsquo;s deadline.

&quot;Giving in forms no part of this government`s scenarios,&quot; Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull said. &quot;On Thursday, we won&rsquo;t give anything different than what we gave on Monday.&quot;

Spain&rsquo;s biggest political crisis in decades worsened on Monday night when Madrid&rsquo;s High Court jailed the heads of Catalonia&#39;s two main separatist groups pending an investigation for alleged sedition.

The Catalan government accused Madrid of taking &quot;political prisoners&quot; and tens of thousands of protesters gathered along Barcelona&rsquo;s Diagonal Avenue to call for their release.

People held up lighted candles, whistled and shouted &quot;freedom&quot; and &quot;out with the occupying forces&quot;.

&quot;There should not be political prisoners in a democratic country in the 21st century. This country is not democratic. I&rsquo;m here to support democracy,&quot; said Alicia Cabreriza, a 26-year-old computer programmer from Barcelona.

The protests ended peacefully at around 2000 GMT.

Catalan leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-leader-under-pressure-to-drop-independence-france-germany-weigh-in-21209">Carles Puigdemont</a>, in a tweet following the detentions, said: &quot;Sadly, we have political prisoners again.&quot;

The phrase was an allusion to the military dictatorship under Francisco Franco, when Catalan culture and language were systematically suppressed. It carries an emotional resonance given fascism is still a living memory for many Spaniards.

Justice Minister Rafael Catala hit back, saying the jailing of the leaders of the separatist groups, the Catalan National Assembly and Omnium, was a judicial, not a political, decision.

&quot;We can talk of politicians in prison but not political prisoners,&quot; he said. &quot;These are not political prisoners because yesterday&rsquo;s prison ruling was due to a (suspected) crime.&quot;

The crisis has deepened divisions at the heart of Spain&rsquo;s young democracy, underlining the complex sense of nationhood in the euro zone&rsquo;s fourth largest economy.

In Madrid, unionists drape their homes in the national flag, while Barcelona apartment buildings are festooned with Catalan flags. Street protests of hundreds of thousands of people have been held on both sides of the divide, including in Catalonia.

&quot;They&rsquo;ve crossed a line,&quot; said Eulalia L&oacute;pez, a 54-year-old office worker in Barcelona.

She said she and her colleagues would come out onto the streets if Madrid went ahead and took control of the region.

Orchestrators?

European capitals and financial markets have looked on with mounting alarm since Oct. 1, when Catalan authorities <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-president-says-independence-vote-is-valid-has-to-be-applied-20913">held a referendum</a> on independence in defiance of a Spanish court ban.

ANC leader Jordi Sanchez and Omnium chief Jordi Cuixart are accused by prosecutors of helping to orchestrate pro-independence protests that last month trapped national police inside a Barcelona building and destroyed their vehicles.

That same incident also led to Catalonia&rsquo;s police chief, Josep Lluis Trapero, being investigated for sedition. He is accused of failing to order his force to rescue them from the building. He has not been detained but the High Court banned him from leaving Spain and seized his passport.

A string of companies, including two major lenders, have decided to move their headquarters outside Catalonia since the referendum.

Spanish police launched a violent crackdown in an effort to thwart the referendum, using rubber bullets and batons on voters in scenes that shocked Spain`s European neighbours.

Catalan officials say 43 per cent of voters still managed to cast ballots with 90 percent in favour of breaking away. Many unionists, however, obeyed Madrid and did not vote.

Spain&rsquo;s constitutional court, which had suspended the referendum, said on Tuesday the law passed by the Catalan parliament to hold the vote was void because it broke dispositions of Spain&rsquo;s 1978 constitution.

One of Catalonia&rsquo;s major foreign investors, Volkswagen, said on Tuesday that its Spanish division, Seat, had decided to delay announcing the name of its forthcoming model.

Seat, based in Martorell in Catalonia, had planned to announce the name of its 2018 sport-utility vehicle this month, about a year ahead of the 7-seat model`s launch.

&quot;With the entire Spanish media focused on politics at the moment, we have decided to find a better time,&quot; a Seat spokesman said, adding the division had also delayed the announcement of an innovation and digitisation agreement. He did not elaborate.

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 refused on Tuesday to bow to the Spanish government’s demand that it renounce a symbolic declaration of independence, setting it on a political collision course with Madrid later this week. 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. But Catalonia’s government rejected Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s deadline. "Giving in forms no part of this government`s scenarios," Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull said. "On Thursday, we won’t give anything different than what we gave on Monday." Spain’s biggest political crisis in decades worsened on Monday night when Madrid’s High Court jailed the heads of Catalonia's two main separatist groups pending an investigation for alleged sedition. The Catalan government accused Madrid of taking "political prisoners" and tens of thousands of protesters gathered along Barcelona’s Diagonal Avenue to call for their release. People held up lighted candles, whistled and shouted "freedom" and "out with the occupying forces". "There should not be political prisoners in a democratic country in the 21st century. This country is not democratic. I’m here to support democracy," said Alicia Cabreriza, a 26-year-old computer programmer from Barcelona. The protests ended peacefully at around 2000 GMT. Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, in a tweet following the detentions, said: "Sadly, we have political prisoners again." The phrase was an allusion to the military dictatorship under Francisco Franco, when Catalan culture and language were systematically suppressed. It carries an emotional resonance given fascism is still a living memory for many Spaniards. Justice Minister Rafael Catala hit back, saying the jailing of the leaders of the separatist groups, the Catalan National Assembly and Omnium, was a judicial, not a political, decision. "We can talk of politicians in prison but not political prisoners," he said. "These are not political prisoners because yesterday’s prison ruling was due to a (suspected) crime." The crisis has deepened divisions at the heart of Spain’s young democracy, underlining the complex sense of nationhood in the euro zone’s fourth largest economy. In Madrid, unionists drape their homes in the national flag, while Barcelona apartment buildings are festooned with Catalan flags. Street protests of hundreds of thousands of people have been held on both sides of the divide, including in Catalonia. "They’ve crossed a line," said Eulalia López, a 54-year-old office worker in Barcelona. She said she and her colleagues would come out onto the streets if Madrid went ahead and took control of the region. Orchestrators? European capitals and financial markets have looked on with mounting alarm since Oct. 1, when Catalan authorities held a referendum on independence in defiance of a Spanish court ban. ANC leader Jordi Sanchez and Omnium chief Jordi Cuixart are accused by prosecutors of helping to orchestrate pro-independence protests that last month trapped national police inside a Barcelona building and destroyed their vehicles. That same incident also led to Catalonia’s police chief, Josep Lluis Trapero, being investigated for sedition. He is accused of failing to order his force to rescue them from the building. He has not been detained but the High Court banned him from leaving Spain and seized his passport. A string of companies, including two major lenders, have decided to move their headquarters outside Catalonia since the referendum. Spanish police launched a violent crackdown in an effort to thwart the referendum, using rubber bullets and batons on voters in scenes that shocked Spain`s European neighbours. Catalan officials say 43 per cent of voters still managed to cast ballots with 90 percent in favour of breaking away. Many unionists, however, obeyed Madrid and did not vote. Spain’s constitutional court, which had suspended the referendum, said on Tuesday the law passed by the Catalan parliament to hold the vote was void because it broke dispositions of Spain’s 1978 constitution. One of Catalonia’s major foreign investors, Volkswagen, said on Tuesday that its Spanish division, Seat, had decided to delay announcing the name of its forthcoming model. Seat, based in Martorell in Catalonia, had planned to announce the name of its 2018 sport-utility vehicle this month, about a year ahead of the 7-seat model`s launch. "With the entire Spanish media focused on politics at the moment, we have decided to find a better time," a Seat spokesman said, adding the division had also delayed the announcement of an innovation and digitisation agreement. He did not elaborate.

Catalonia refuses to renounce independence, separatist protesters rally

Wildfires whipped by strong wind gusts spawned by Hurricane Ophelia burned across northwestern Spain on Sunday, leaving three people dead, officials said.

Fifteen separate wildfires which posed a risk to built-up areas were raging across the region of Galicia, the head of the regional government, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said.

The flames were being fanned by wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres (55 miles) per hour as Hurricane Ophelia moved north off the coast of Spain towards Ireland, he told private television La Sexta.

&quot;The situation is critical,&quot; he said.

Feijoo said &quot;thousands&quot; of firefighters, soldiers and locals were battling the blazes, which were fueled by drought conditions and unusually high temperatures for this time of the year.

&quot;We have not had a situation like this in the past decade. We have never deployed so many means at this time of the year,&quot; he said.

Two people died after they became trapped by flames in their van near the town of Nigran as they tried to flee the area, the deputy mayor of Nigran, Raquel Giraldez, told AFP.

An elderly man was found in a shed behind his house in the town of Carballeda de Avia that was engulfed by flames, regional government officials said.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is from Galicia, expressed his condolences to the victims in a Twitter message.

Five wildfires were raging near Vigo, Galicia&#39;s biggest city, forcing the evacuation of a shopping mall and a PSA Peugeot Citroen factory on the outskirts of the city.

The flames had reached O Castro, a large hilltop park in the heart of Vigo with sweeping views of the city&#39;s estuary, Spanish public television TVE reported.

Images broadcast on Spanish TV showed local residents, their mouths and noses covered with handkerchiefs, battling the flames with buckets and pans of water.

Vigo mayor Abel Caballero appealed for calm and urged local residents to shut their windows to keep out the smoke which was engulfing the city.

&quot;We are making a huge effort, the fires near homes are being brought under control, with much help from locals,&quot; he told TVE.

The city of around 300,000 residents has opened up two sports centres and booked rooms in three hotels for people who were forced to evacuate their homes.

At least 10 schools cancelled classes on Monday in Vigo because of the flames, local officials said.

&#39;Intentional fires&#39;&nbsp;

Spanish state-owned rail operator Renfe said it had cancelled a train linking Vigo to Barcelona because of the wildfires.

Several roads in Galicia were closed because of the flames, local officials said.

Feijoo said arsonists were to blame for many of the blazes.

&quot;They are absolutely intentional fires, meditated, caused by people who know what they are doing,&quot; he told reporters.

The national weather office is forecasting rain and cooler temperatures in Galicia beginning early on Monday which officials hope will help put out the flames.

Meteorologists say Ophelia is the most powerful hurricane recorded so far east in the Atlantic and the first since 1939 to travel so far north.

When it reaches Ireland on Monday it is expected to weaken to a &quot;post-tropical storm&quot;, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Fifteen separate wildfires which posed a risk to built-up areas were raging across the region of Galicia, the head of the regional government, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said

Wildfires whipped by strong wind gusts spawned by Hurricane Ophelia burned across northwestern Spain on Sunday, leaving three people dead, officials said. Fifteen separate wildfires which posed a risk to built-up areas were raging across the region of Galicia, the head of the regional government, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said. The flames were being fanned by wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres (55 miles) per hour as Hurricane Ophelia moved north off the coast of Spain towards Ireland, he told private television La Sexta. "The situation is critical," he said. Feijoo said "thousands" of firefighters, soldiers and locals were battling the blazes, which were fueled by drought conditions and unusually high temperatures for this time of the year. "We have not had a situation like this in the past decade. We have never deployed so many means at this time of the year," he said. Two people died after they became trapped by flames in their van near the town of Nigran as they tried to flee the area, the deputy mayor of Nigran, Raquel Giraldez, told AFP. An elderly man was found in a shed behind his house in the town of Carballeda de Avia that was engulfed by flames, regional government officials said. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is from Galicia, expressed his condolences to the victims in a Twitter message. Five wildfires were raging near Vigo, Galicia's biggest city, forcing the evacuation of a shopping mall and a PSA Peugeot Citroen factory on the outskirts of the city. The flames had reached O Castro, a large hilltop park in the heart of Vigo with sweeping views of the city's estuary, Spanish public television TVE reported. Images broadcast on Spanish TV showed local residents, their mouths and noses covered with handkerchiefs, battling the flames with buckets and pans of water. Vigo mayor Abel Caballero appealed for calm and urged local residents to shut their windows to keep out the smoke which was engulfing the city. "We are making a huge effort, the fires near homes are being brought under control, with much help from locals," he told TVE. The city of around 300,000 residents has opened up two sports centres and booked rooms in three hotels for people who were forced to evacuate their homes. At least 10 schools cancelled classes on Monday in Vigo because of the flames, local officials said. 'Intentional fires' Spanish state-owned rail operator Renfe said it had cancelled a train linking Vigo to Barcelona because of the wildfires. Several roads in Galicia were closed because of the flames, local officials said. Feijoo said arsonists were to blame for many of the blazes. "They are absolutely intentional fires, meditated, caused by people who know what they are doing," he told reporters. The national weather office is forecasting rain and cooler temperatures in Galicia beginning early on Monday which officials hope will help put out the flames. Meteorologists say Ophelia is the most powerful hurricane recorded so far east in the Atlantic and the first since 1939 to travel so far north. When it reaches Ireland on Monday it is expected to weaken to a "post-tropical storm", according to the US National Hurricane Center.

3 dead as Hurricane Ophelia fans wildfires in Spain

Spain&#39;s government will take control of Catalonia and rule it directly if Catalan&nbsp;leader<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/independence-decision-day-looms-for-catalan-leader-22482">&nbsp;Carles Puigdemont</a> does not&nbsp;drop&nbsp;a bid to split the region from&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;by Thursday at 1000 a.m. (0800 GMT),&nbsp;deputy&nbsp;Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said.

&quot;Mr Puigdemont still has the opportunity to start resolving this situation, he&nbsp;must&nbsp;answer &#39;yes&#39; or &#39;no&#39; to the declaration (of&nbsp;independence),&quot; Saenz de Santamaria said.

Madrid had given Puigdemont until Monday 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) to clarify his position on independence&nbsp;with a &quot;Yes&quot; or &quot;No&quot;, but the&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;leader&nbsp;did not directly answer the question.

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)"

Spain's government will take control of Catalonia and rule it directly if Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont does not drop a bid to split the region from Spain by Thursday at 1000 a.m. (0800 GMT), deputy Prime Minister Soraya 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)," Saenz de Santamaria said. Madrid had given Puigdemont until Monday 10:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) to clarify his position on independence with a "Yes" or "No", but the Catalan leader did not directly answer the question.

Catalan leader must drop independence by Thursday: Spain Deputy PM

Catalonia&#39;s separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on Monday told the central government he wanted to &quot;suspend&quot; initiating steps towards independence for two months to start talks with Madrid.

His comments came as the deadline set by Madrid to clarify his intentions for the Spanish region came to a close.

Puigdemont last week made an ambiguous announcement, saying he accepted the mandate for &quot;Catalonia to become an independent state&quot; following a banned referendum, in which separatist leaders say 90 per cent opted to split from Spain -- even if more than half of eligible voters stayed home.

But he immediately suspended that declaration pending talks with Madrid.

In a letter to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, Puigdemont wrote that his &quot;suspension of the political mandate given by the polls on October 1 demonstrates our firm will to find a solution and not confrontation.&quot;

He added that &quot;for the next two months, our main objective is to bring you to dialogue.&quot;

But he did not clarify whether or not he had declared independence last week.

Madrid has previously said it refuses to negotiate on Catalan independence and has threatened to take drastic measures like suspending the region&#39;s autonomy if Puigdemont presses ahead with independence.

Carles Puigdemont told the central government he wanted to 'suspend' initiating steps towards independence for two months to start talks with Madrid

Catalonia's separatist leader Carles Puigdemont on Monday told the central government he wanted to "suspend" initiating steps towards independence for two months to start talks with Madrid. His comments came as the deadline set by Madrid to clarify his intentions for the Spanish region came to a close. Puigdemont last week made an ambiguous announcement, saying he accepted the mandate for "Catalonia to become an independent state" following a banned referendum, in which separatist leaders say 90 per cent opted to split from Spain -- even if more than half of eligible voters stayed home. But he immediately suspended that declaration pending talks with Madrid. In a letter to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday, Puigdemont wrote that his "suspension of the political mandate given by the polls on October 1 demonstrates our firm will to find a solution and not confrontation." He added that "for the next two months, our main objective is to bring you to dialogue." But he did not clarify whether or not he had declared independence last week. Madrid has previously said it refuses to negotiate on Catalan independence and has threatened to take drastic measures like suspending the region's autonomy if Puigdemont presses ahead with independence.

Catalan leader seeks two-month reprieve for talks with Spain

Catalan&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Carles Puigdemont came under&nbsp;pressure from one of his key allies&nbsp;on Friday to&nbsp;declare&nbsp;full&nbsp;independence&nbsp;and&nbsp;ignore&nbsp;a threat of direct rule from the Spanish government.

Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of&nbsp;independence&nbsp;on Tuesday night, only to suspend it seconds later and call for negotiations with&nbsp;Madrid.

Spain&#39;s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has given him until Monday to clarify his position - and then until Thursday to change his mind if he insists on a split - threatening to suspend Catalonia&#39;s autonomy if he chooses&nbsp;independence.

But far-left&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;political group CUP called on Puigdemont to make an unequivocal declaration of&nbsp;independence&nbsp;in defiance of the&nbsp;deadlines.

&quot;If (the central&nbsp;Madrid&nbsp;government) wants to continue to threaten and gag us, they should do it to the Republic that has already been claimed,&quot; the party said.

The CUP only holds 10 seats in the 135-seat&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;parliament. But Puigdemont&#39;s minority government relies on its support to push through legislation and cannot win a majority vote in the regional parliament without its backing.

The wealthy region&#39;s intention to break away after a referendum has plunged Spain into its worst political crisis since an attempted military coup in 1981.

Sources close to the&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;government said Puigdemont and his team were working on an answer to Rajoy though they declined to say what line he might take.

The CUP statement echoes the position expressed late on Thursday by influential pro-independence&nbsp;civic group Asamblea Nacional&nbsp;Catalana which said: &quot;Given the negative position of Spain toward dialogue, we ask the regional parliament to raise the suspension (on the declaration of&nbsp;independence).&quot;

But the&nbsp;leader&nbsp;of Puigdemont&#39;s party, Artur Mas, who served as the region&#39;s president until 2016 and is still believed to influence key decisions, said on Friday declaring&nbsp;independence&nbsp;was not the only way forward.

&quot;If a state proclaims itself independent and cannot act as such, it&#39;s an&nbsp;independence&nbsp;that is merely aesthetic,&quot; he told&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;television TV3.

&quot;The external factor must be taken into account in the decisions that will be made from now on,&quot; he said.

The European Union, the United States and most other world powers have made it clear they wanted Catalonia to remain within Spain.

&quot;If we allow Catalonia - and it is none of our business - to separate, others will do the same. I do not want that,&quot; Jean Claude Juncker said in a speech at Luxembourg University.

Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of?independence?on Tuesday night, only to suspend it seconds later and call for negotiations with?Madrid

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont came under pressure from one of his key allies on Friday to declare full independence and ignore a threat of direct rule from the Spanish government. Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of independence on Tuesday night, only to suspend it seconds later and call for negotiations with Madrid. Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has given him until Monday to clarify his position - and then until Thursday to change his mind if he insists on a split - threatening to suspend Catalonia's autonomy if he chooses independence. But far-left Catalan political group CUP called on Puigdemont to make an unequivocal declaration of independence in defiance of the deadlines. "If (the central Madrid government) wants to continue to threaten and gag us, they should do it to the Republic that has already been claimed," the party said. The CUP only holds 10 seats in the 135-seat Catalan parliament. But Puigdemont's minority government relies on its support to push through legislation and cannot win a majority vote in the regional parliament without its backing. The wealthy region's intention to break away after a referendum has plunged Spain into its worst political crisis since an attempted military coup in 1981. Sources close to the Catalan government said Puigdemont and his team were working on an answer to Rajoy though they declined to say what line he might take. The CUP statement echoes the position expressed late on Thursday by influential pro-independence civic group Asamblea Nacional Catalana which said: "Given the negative position of Spain toward dialogue, we ask the regional parliament to raise the suspension (on the declaration of independence)." But the leader of Puigdemont's party, Artur Mas, who served as the region's president until 2016 and is still believed to influence key decisions, said on Friday declaring independence was not the only way forward. "If a state proclaims itself independent and cannot act as such, it's an independence that is merely aesthetic," he told Catalan television TV3. "The external factor must be taken into account in the decisions that will be made from now on," he said. The European Union, the United States and most other world powers have made it clear they wanted Catalonia to remain within Spain. "If we allow Catalonia - and it is none of our business - to separate, others will do the same. I do not want that," Jean Claude Juncker said in a speech at Luxembourg University.

Catalan leader Puigdemont under pressure to declare full independence

Spain today gave Catalonia&#39;s separatist leader until next week to clarify whether he intends to push ahead with independence, warning that Madrid would take control of the region if it insisted on breaking away.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to do everything in his power to prevent Catalan secession following a banned referendum in the region, which remains deeply divided over independence.

He held an emergency cabinet meeting after Catalonia&#39;s president Carles Puigdemont announced yesterday that he had accepted the mandate for &quot;Catalonia to become an independent state.&quot;

Rajoy told lawmakers in Madrid he was giving Puigdemont until Monday to decide if he really wanted to take the path of independence.

&quot;It is very important that Puigdemont clarify for the rest of Spaniards if he declared independence yesterday or not,&quot; he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalonia-stops-short-of-formal-independence-declaration-to-allow-talks-21251" target="_blank">Also read: Catalan leaders sign independence declaration but put it on hold</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-leader-threatens-independence-after-winning-90-of-independence-vote-20881" target="_blank">Also read: Catalan leader threatens independence after winning 90% of vote</a>

Rajoy said if Puigdemont did push ahead with secession, the central government would give him until October 19 to reconsider, before suspending Catalonia&#39;s regional autonomy.

The deadline sets the clock ticking on Spain&#39;s most serious political emergency since its return to democracy four decades ago.

World leaders are watching closely and uncertainty over the fate of the region of 7.5 million people has damaged business confidence, with several listed firms already moving their legal headquarters to Madrid.

Puigdemont said the referendum had given him a mandate for independence but immediately asked regional lawmakers to suspend the declaration to allow for negotiations with the central government.

Rajoy has said he will not negotiate on anything until the separatists abandon their independence drive, and rejected calls for mediation in the crisis.

&quot;There is no mediation possible between democratic law and disobedience, illegality,&quot; he told parliament today.

Rajoy today triggered constitution article 155, which allows Madrid to impose control over its devolved regions -- an unprecedented move many fear could lead to unrest.

The article provides a warning period for any region attempting to leave Spain.

The leader of the opposition Socialist Party, Pedro Sanchez, backed Rajoy&#39;s demand for clarification in order to &quot;get out of the swamp&quot;.

While separatist leaders say 90 percent of voters opted to split from Spain in the October plebiscite, less than half of the region&#39;s eligible voters actually turned out.

The drive to break Catalonia away from Spain has raised concern for stability in a European Union still coming to terms with Britain&#39;s shock decision to leave the bloc.

The EU today urged &quot;full respect of the Spanish constitutional order&quot;.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said any unilateral independence move would be &quot;irresponsible&quot; and France said it would not recognise Catalonia&#39;s &quot;illegal&quot; bid for statehood.

Crowds of thousands gathered outside the parliament building in Barcelona yesterday ahead of Puigdemont&#39;s speech, waving Catalan flags and banners and screaming &quot;democracy&quot; in the hope of witnessing history in the making. (AFP)

Madrid warns the region that it will take control if it insists on breaking away

Spain today gave Catalonia's separatist leader until next week to clarify whether he intends to push ahead with independence, warning that Madrid would take control of the region if it insisted on breaking away. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed to do everything in his power to prevent Catalan secession following a banned referendum in the region, which remains deeply divided over independence. He held an emergency cabinet meeting after Catalonia's president Carles Puigdemont announced yesterday that he had accepted the mandate for "Catalonia to become an independent state." Rajoy told lawmakers in Madrid he was giving Puigdemont until Monday to decide if he really wanted to take the path of independence. "It is very important that Puigdemont clarify for the rest of Spaniards if he declared independence yesterday or not," he said. Also read: Catalan leaders sign independence declaration but put it on hold Also read: Catalan leader threatens independence after winning 90% of vote Rajoy said if Puigdemont did push ahead with secession, the central government would give him until October 19 to reconsider, before suspending Catalonia's regional autonomy. The deadline sets the clock ticking on Spain's most serious political emergency since its return to democracy four decades ago. World leaders are watching closely and uncertainty over the fate of the region of 7.5 million people has damaged business confidence, with several listed firms already moving their legal headquarters to Madrid. Puigdemont said the referendum had given him a mandate for independence but immediately asked regional lawmakers to suspend the declaration to allow for negotiations with the central government. Rajoy has said he will not negotiate on anything until the separatists abandon their independence drive, and rejected calls for mediation in the crisis. "There is no mediation possible between democratic law and disobedience, illegality," he told parliament today. Rajoy today triggered constitution article 155, which allows Madrid to impose control over its devolved regions -- an unprecedented move many fear could lead to unrest. The article provides a warning period for any region attempting to leave Spain. The leader of the opposition Socialist Party, Pedro Sanchez, backed Rajoy's demand for clarification in order to "get out of the swamp". While separatist leaders say 90 percent of voters opted to split from Spain in the October plebiscite, less than half of the region's eligible voters actually turned out. The drive to break Catalonia away from Spain has raised concern for stability in a European Union still coming to terms with Britain's shock decision to leave the bloc. The EU today urged "full respect of the Spanish constitutional order". German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said any unilateral independence move would be "irresponsible" and France said it would not recognise Catalonia's "illegal" bid for statehood. Crowds of thousands gathered outside the parliament building in Barcelona yesterday ahead of Puigdemont's speech, waving Catalan flags and banners and screaming "democracy" in the hope of witnessing history in the making. (AFP)

Clarify intentions by next week, Spain tells Catalan President

Unless the Catalan and Spanish governments immediately open a dialogue about the constitutional future of Catalonia, the violent scenes in the region may only be a precursor of things to come. But for this dialogue to take place, the EU must be involved.

With the instant, worldwide circulation of images of brutal police repression of defenceless, peaceful voters, the Catalan government won the battle for public sympathy. However, it is in fact isolated in its struggle.

Madrid has maintained its hard line, refusing to recognise the vote or its result. This strategy has been bolstered by King Felipe&rsquo;s intervention. Rather than appealing for national unity, he offered a one-sided condemnation of the conflict. The government is also supported by most other Spanish parties, as well as the editorial line of the main Spanish dailies such as El Pais and El Mundo. Catalonia&rsquo;s potential allies in other historic regions such as the Basque country have remained remarkably silent.

Beyond Spain, European leaders have either taken a neutral stance, relegating the conflict to an internal matter for Spain to resolve or have offered support to the Spanish government&rsquo;s defence of the rule of law.

Risky strategies

The Catalan government&rsquo;s current trajectory is fraught with risk. It hasn&rsquo;t, for one thing, acknowledged the real divisions that exist within Catalonia about the desirability of independence.

And its extreme position is only being met by more immovability from Madrid. The courts have already promised to suspend the parliamentary session in which the Catalan government could declare independence. The central government could go further. It could use its constitutional powers to impose direct rule. If police intervention were met with protest, it could lead to further clashes, replete with truncheons, rubber bullets, and bloodshed.

But this strategy is equally risky. It does nothing to address the growing sources of grievances in Catalonia. It only adds to the cycle of conflict. Nor is it clear that it could actually work. The 10,000 members of the Guardia Civil deployed across Catalonia could not prevent over 2m voters from casting their ballots. It is doubtful that the Spanish central government could credibly prevent Catalonia from declaring independence without taking brutally repressive measures. But this would have serious economic and political ramifications for the EU.

Already, two large Spanish banks &ndash; Sabadell and CaixaBank &ndash; are switching their main offices so as not to be based in Catalonia. With capital flying out of its largest economic region, the Spanish stock exchange took a tumble. This has the potential to seriously affect the value of the euro. The messy economics of a divorce could trigger a return to the volatility that the eurozone experienced in 2011-12.

The EU has remained shamefully powerless in the face of the illiberal measures deployed by right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary, towards their media and judiciary. Its reputation would be further tarnished if one of its more established members could curtail the rights of its national minorities.

For these reasons, the EU has the duty to facilitate a dialogue between the Catalan and Spanish governments and to bring them back from the brink.

The EU&rsquo;s reluctance to engage stems from the fact that these are uncharted waters. The violent territorial conflicts that have beset other countries such as Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Bosnia-Herzegovina were mediated, to varying degrees of success, by national governments, the United Nations and third parties like the United States. The EU has few procedures for bringing parties in a territorial conflict to the negotiation table. Creativity will be needed.

What the EU could do

The first action is for the European Parliament to pass a resolution, endorsed by the Council of Ministers, condemning the situation. This should assign responsibility to both parties and recall the cardinal values of the rule of law, democracy and minority rights in the European constitutional order. This resolution should receive a full endorsement from Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, as well as the heads of governments, such as Germany&rsquo;s Angela Merkel and France&rsquo;s Emmanuel Macron.

Then the EU must offer to act as an impartial mediator in the dialogue. Given the heightened tensions and mutual recriminations, this dialogue cannot be left unmediated. The Catalan government will not accept that the Spanish government takes on the role of both an interlocutor and an arbiter.

The EU needs to offer a way out of the conflict. The basic condition for dialogue is a formal renunciation of the unilateral declaration of independence by the Catalan government, in exchange for the right to hold a new legally-sanctioned referendum on independence. In case of a NO vote, the Catalan government should then open negotiation for a revision of the Catalan Statute of Autonomy, that offers symbolic recognition of Catalonia&rsquo;s nationhood and a better fiscal pact.

This deal needs to be accompanied by the promise that the EU will not recognise Catalan independence if is illegal and that the Spanish government will be suspended from the Council of Ministers if it violates civil rights in Catalonia.

Europe is not short of diplomatic talent that could be called upon to help foster dialogue: Ireland&rsquo;s former president Mary Robinson, Carld Bildt, who negotiated Sweden&rsquo;s EU accession, and Paddy Ashdown, who served as the high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, are well-seasoned politicians who could play a constructive role in diffusing the crisis.

Failing to act

Inaction would have devastating repercussions for Catalonia, Spain and the EU.

To force a reluctant central government to the negotiation table, Catalan people could deploy their most successful strategy so far: mass protests, general strikes, and widespread civil disobedience that would bring the regional and national economy to a standstill and generate further political turmoil.

Or, realising that negotiation is not a forthcoming strategy, it could choose to declare independence unilaterally, with all the consequences that this could reap.

Both scenarios would result from the failure to act.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/crisis-in-catalonia-what-the-eu-must-do-now-85377" rel="nofollow" target="blank">original article</a>.

The European Union should intervene to resolve standoff on Catalonia issue

Unless the Catalan and Spanish governments immediately open a dialogue about the constitutional future of Catalonia, the violent scenes in the region may only be a precursor of things to come. But for this dialogue to take place, the EU must be involved. With the instant, worldwide circulation of images of brutal police repression of defenceless, peaceful voters, the Catalan government won the battle for public sympathy. However, it is in fact isolated in its struggle. Madrid has maintained its hard line, refusing to recognise the vote or its result. This strategy has been bolstered by King Felipe’s intervention. Rather than appealing for national unity, he offered a one-sided condemnation of the conflict. The government is also supported by most other Spanish parties, as well as the editorial line of the main Spanish dailies such as El Pais and El Mundo. Catalonia’s potential allies in other historic regions such as the Basque country have remained remarkably silent. Beyond Spain, European leaders have either taken a neutral stance, relegating the conflict to an internal matter for Spain to resolve or have offered support to the Spanish government’s defence of the rule of law. Risky strategies The Catalan government’s current trajectory is fraught with risk. It hasn’t, for one thing, acknowledged the real divisions that exist within Catalonia about the desirability of independence. And its extreme position is only being met by more immovability from Madrid. The courts have already promised to suspend the parliamentary session in which the Catalan government could declare independence. The central government could go further. It could use its constitutional powers to impose direct rule. If police intervention were met with protest, it could lead to further clashes, replete with truncheons, rubber bullets, and bloodshed. But this strategy is equally risky. It does nothing to address the growing sources of grievances in Catalonia. It only adds to the cycle of conflict. Nor is it clear that it could actually work. The 10,000 members of the Guardia Civil deployed across Catalonia could not prevent over 2m voters from casting their ballots. It is doubtful that the Spanish central government could credibly prevent Catalonia from declaring independence without taking brutally repressive measures. But this would have serious economic and political ramifications for the EU. Already, two large Spanish banks – Sabadell and CaixaBank – are switching their main offices so as not to be based in Catalonia. With capital flying out of its largest economic region, the Spanish stock exchange took a tumble. This has the potential to seriously affect the value of the euro. The messy economics of a divorce could trigger a return to the volatility that the eurozone experienced in 2011-12. The EU has remained shamefully powerless in the face of the illiberal measures deployed by right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary, towards their media and judiciary. Its reputation would be further tarnished if one of its more established members could curtail the rights of its national minorities. For these reasons, the EU has the duty to facilitate a dialogue between the Catalan and Spanish governments and to bring them back from the brink. The EU’s reluctance to engage stems from the fact that these are uncharted waters. The violent territorial conflicts that have beset other countries such as Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Bosnia-Herzegovina were mediated, to varying degrees of success, by national governments, the United Nations and third parties like the United States. The EU has few procedures for bringing parties in a territorial conflict to the negotiation table. Creativity will be needed. What the EU could do The first action is for the European Parliament to pass a resolution, endorsed by the Council of Ministers, condemning the situation. This should assign responsibility to both parties and recall the cardinal values of the rule of law, democracy and minority rights in the European constitutional order. This resolution should receive a full endorsement from Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, as well as the heads of governments, such as Germany’s Angela Merkel and France’s Emmanuel Macron. Then the EU must offer to act as an impartial mediator in the dialogue. Given the heightened tensions and mutual recriminations, this dialogue cannot be left unmediated. The Catalan government will not accept that the Spanish government takes on the role of both an interlocutor and an arbiter. The EU needs to offer a way out of the conflict. The basic condition for dialogue is a formal renunciation of the unilateral declaration of independence by the Catalan government, in exchange for the right to hold a new legally-sanctioned referendum on independence. In case of a NO vote, the Catalan government should then open negotiation for a revision of the Catalan Statute of Autonomy, that offers symbolic recognition of Catalonia’s nationhood and a better fiscal pact. This deal needs to be accompanied by the promise that the EU will not recognise Catalan independence if is illegal and that the Spanish government will be suspended from the Council of Ministers if it violates civil rights in Catalonia. Europe is not short of diplomatic talent that could be called upon to help foster dialogue: Ireland’s former president Mary Robinson, Carld Bildt, who negotiated Sweden’s EU accession, and Paddy Ashdown, who served as the high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, are well-seasoned politicians who could play a constructive role in diffusing the crisis. Failing to act Inaction would have devastating repercussions for Catalonia, Spain and the EU. To force a reluctant central government to the negotiation table, Catalan people could deploy their most successful strategy so far: mass protests, general strikes, and widespread civil disobedience that would bring the regional and national economy to a standstill and generate further political turmoil. Or, realising that negotiation is not a forthcoming strategy, it could choose to declare independence unilaterally, with all the consequences that this could reap. Both scenarios would result from the failure to act. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Crisis in Catalonia: what the EU must do now

The Spanish cabinet was meeting on Wednesday to decide its response&nbsp;to&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;moves to declare&nbsp;independence, but the prospect of dialogue to ease Spain&#39;s worst political crisis in four decades already seemed remote.

The fraught situation became even more confused on Tuesday night when&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;leader Carles Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of&nbsp;independence&nbsp;from&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;but then immediately suspended it to allow for talks with the Madrid government.

Such a declaration had been widely expected after the&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;government said 90 percent of Catalans voted for a breakaway in an Oct. 1 referendum that&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;had declared illegal and which most opponents of&nbsp;independence&nbsp;boycotted.

But&nbsp;Spain&nbsp;responded angrily to Puigdemont&#39;s speech, saying the&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;government could not act on the results of the referendum.

&quot;Neither Mr Puigdemont nor anyone else can claim, without returning to legality and democracy, to impose mediation dialogue between Democrats takes place within the law,&quot; Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy spoke to other political parties on Tuesday to seek the greatest possible support for the government&#39;s&nbsp;response.

Puigdemont&#39;s speech also disappointed supporters of&nbsp;independence, thousands of whom watched proceedings on giant screens outside parliament before sadly leaving for home.

Financial markets, however, were encouraged that an immediate declaration of&nbsp;independence had been avoided.

Although Puigdemont&#39;s climbdown appeared to lessen the immediate risk of a head-on confrontation between the&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;and Madrid governments, Spanish media said it was still possible Rajoy could take strong measures, including possibly suspending Catalonia&#39;s autonomy and forcing new regional elections.

The&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;government said if Madrid invoked this option, using Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, it would press ahead with&nbsp;independence.

&quot;If the government implements 155, it means there is no willingness for dialogue...and so obviously we would have to be consistent with our commitment to the people of Catalonia,&quot; Catalan&nbsp;government spokesman Jordi Turull told Catalunya Radio.

&quot;We have given up absolutely nothing. We have taken a timeout which doesn&#39;t mean a step backwards, or a renunciation or anything like that,&quot; he said.

MARKET RELIEF

Following Puigdemont&#39;s speech,&nbsp;Spain&#39;s benchmark IBEX share index rose as much as 1.6 per cent, outperforming the pan-European STOXX 600 index. The rally pushed the main world stocks index, the MSCI&#39;s 47-country &#39;All-World&#39; index, to a record high.

Spain&#39;s 10-year government bond yield -- which&nbsp;moves inversely to the price -- dropped 5 basis points to 1.65 per cent in early trade, according to Tradeweb data.

But some analysts said Puigdemont&#39;s stance would prolong the uncertainty and risk from the Catalan&nbsp;impasse.

It could also rock his&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;government, with one far-left party inside his coalition, the pro-independence&nbsp;CUP (the Popular Unity Candidacy), saying he may have missed a historic opportunity. It gave him one month to find a negotiated solution the CUP doubts will ever come.

&quot;You say we are suspending the effects because we are going to negotiation and mediation. Negotiation and mediation with whom? With a Spanish state that continues to harass and persecute us?&quot; CUP leader Anna Gabriel said.

Thousands of&nbsp;independence&nbsp;supporters, flying&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;separatist flags, had gathered in a party atmosphere to watch Puigdemont&#39;s speech on big screens near the 18th-century parliament building, eagerly expecting a declaration of&nbsp;independence.

But their hopes were dashed, leaving some in the crowd in tears, whistling or shaking their heads.

&quot;I am disappointed. I hoped for a declaration of&nbsp;independence&nbsp;and it didn&#39;t happen,&quot; said 18-year-old student Julia Lluch, among a crowd of&nbsp;independence&nbsp;supporters who were rolling up their flags and drifting away from the assembly.

In Brussels, there was relief that the euro zone&#39;s fourth-largest economy now had at least bought some time to deal with a crisis that was still far from over.

One EU official said Puigdemont &quot;seems to have listened to advice not to do something irreversible&quot;.

Both Rajoy&#39;s government and European Council President Donald Tusk had urged Puigdemont not to proclaim&nbsp;independence.

The&nbsp;Catalan&nbsp;crisis has deeply divided the northeastern region itself as well as the Spanish nation. Opinion polls conducted before the vote suggested a minority of about 40 percent of residents in Catalonia backed&nbsp;independence.

The stakes are high -- losing Catalonia, which has its own language and culture, would deprive Spain&nbsp;of a fifth of its economic output and more than a quarter of exports.

Some of Catalonia&#39;s largest companies have&nbsp;moved their head offices out of the region and others were set to follow if he had declared&nbsp;independence.

The fraught situation became even more confused on Tuesday night when?Catalan?leader Carles Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of?independence?from?Spain?but then immediately suspended it to allow for talks with the Madrid government

The Spanish cabinet was meeting on Wednesday to decide its response to Catalan moves to declare independence, but the prospect of dialogue to ease Spain's worst political crisis in four decades already seemed remote. The fraught situation became even more confused on Tuesday night when Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont made a symbolic declaration of independence from Spain but then immediately suspended it to allow for talks with the Madrid government. Such a declaration had been widely expected after the Catalan government said 90 percent of Catalans voted for a breakaway in an Oct. 1 referendum that Spain had declared illegal and which most opponents of independence boycotted. But Spain responded angrily to Puigdemont's speech, saying the Catalan government could not act on the results of the referendum. "Neither Mr Puigdemont nor anyone else can claim, without returning to legality and democracy, to impose mediation dialogue between Democrats takes place within the law," Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy spoke to other political parties on Tuesday to seek the greatest possible support for the government's response. Puigdemont's speech also disappointed supporters of independence, thousands of whom watched proceedings on giant screens outside parliament before sadly leaving for home. Financial markets, however, were encouraged that an immediate declaration of independence had been avoided. Although Puigdemont's climbdown appeared to lessen the immediate risk of a head-on confrontation between the Catalan and Madrid governments, Spanish media said it was still possible Rajoy could take strong measures, including possibly suspending Catalonia's autonomy and forcing new regional elections. The Catalan government said if Madrid invoked this option, using Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, it would press ahead with independence. "If the government implements 155, it means there is no willingness for dialogue...and so obviously we would have to be consistent with our commitment to the people of Catalonia," Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull told Catalunya Radio. "We have given up absolutely nothing. We have taken a timeout which doesn't mean a step backwards, or a renunciation or anything like that," he said. MARKET RELIEF Following Puigdemont's speech, Spain's benchmark IBEX share index rose as much as 1.6 per cent, outperforming the pan-European STOXX 600 index. The rally pushed the main world stocks index, the MSCI's 47-country 'All-World' index, to a record high. Spain's 10-year government bond yield -- which moves inversely to the price -- dropped 5 basis points to 1.65 per cent in early trade, according to Tradeweb data. But some analysts said Puigdemont's stance would prolong the uncertainty and risk from the Catalan impasse. It could also rock his Catalan government, with one far-left party inside his coalition, the pro-independence CUP (the Popular Unity Candidacy), saying he may have missed a historic opportunity. It gave him one month to find a negotiated solution the CUP doubts will ever come. "You say we are suspending the effects because we are going to negotiation and mediation. Negotiation and mediation with whom? With a Spanish state that continues to harass and persecute us?" CUP leader Anna Gabriel said. Thousands of independence supporters, flying Catalan separatist flags, had gathered in a party atmosphere to watch Puigdemont's speech on big screens near the 18th-century parliament building, eagerly expecting a declaration of independence. But their hopes were dashed, leaving some in the crowd in tears, whistling or shaking their heads. "I am disappointed. I hoped for a declaration of independence and it didn't happen," said 18-year-old student Julia Lluch, among a crowd of independence supporters who were rolling up their flags and drifting away from the assembly. In Brussels, there was relief that the euro zone's fourth-largest economy now had at least bought some time to deal with a crisis that was still far from over. One EU official said Puigdemont "seems to have listened to advice not to do something irreversible". Both Rajoy's government and European Council President Donald Tusk had urged Puigdemont not to proclaim independence. The Catalan crisis has deeply divided the northeastern region itself as well as the Spanish nation. Opinion polls conducted before the vote suggested a minority of about 40 percent of residents in Catalonia backed independence. The stakes are high -- losing Catalonia, which has its own language and culture, would deprive Spain of a fifth of its economic output and more than a quarter of exports. Some of Catalonia's largest companies have moved their head offices out of the region and others were set to follow if he had declared independence.

Spain plans response to Catalan independence move

Calls for &ldquo;independence&rdquo; have been increasingly heard on the streets of Barcelona in recent days. Those powerful emotions can drive people to extremes, which in some cases include killing and dying. Yet for the high price often paid, independence movements are rarely successful and their outcomes are usually less than hoped for.

Catalonia&rsquo;s recent vote for independence provoked&nbsp;a heavy-handed response from the government in Madrid. This has, in almost textbook style, conversely increased support for independence.

The Spanish government&rsquo;s response was wrong if the intention was to secure Catalonia&rsquo;s loyalty, but perhaps the right response if the intention was to shore up falling nationalist support elsewhere.

Independence movements commonly start with a small number of idealists, yet quickly grow when central governments respond with repression. In such circumstances, the desire for &ldquo;freedom&rdquo; takes root and flourishes. So the first responses of central governments to secessionist movements are critical to their outcome.

There are currently well over 100 secessionist movements, including four in the Philippines, dozens in India, around eight in Myanmar, and several dozen in Africa. Many of these have produced bloodshed and trauma well in excess of possible practical gains. Yet, despite their numbers, very few secessionist movements are ultimately successful, while the costs for governments imposing a nominal unity can be high for all involved.

With high risks and limited chances of success, secessionist movements are rarely about pragmatism and more about fervour. Even with popular support, these movements rarely have the political or military capacity to impose their will on the state from which they intend to secede.

Such limited examples&nbsp;of secessionist success that there are have relied on either external intervention &ndash; such as Bangladesh and Kosovo &ndash; or agreement by a weakened parent state, such as Eritrea and South Sudan. Timor-Leste achieved independence on the back of both factors.

Having overcome daunting odds of achieving independence, the success of post-secessionist states has, on balance, been poor. Bangladesh has struggled between periods of incapable civilian government, military coups and a state of emergency. Since independence in 1991, Eritrea has been an authoritarian one-party state with no political activity allowed.

Kosovo has been marked by divisive ethnic politics, while South Sudan has been wracked by ethnopolitical fighting since independence in 2011. Timor-Leste is a successful democracy, yet survived intact only due to international intervention ending civil conflict in 2006.

Of the world&rsquo;s separatist movements, the most recent and notable, next to Catalonia, is Kurdistan. A&nbsp;Kurdish state would have a potentially sound oil-based economy and a very capable military.

Yet even an independent Kurdistan would require access to trade routes to export oil. This is currently blocked by its parent state, Iraq, and suspicion or hostility from neighbouring Turkey, Syria and Iran. Kurdistan may continue to pursue independence, but it would likely have a more viable economic future as an autonomous state in a federated Iraq.

Even when successful, the cost of independence can be high. It can bring destructive wars, lack of economic activity and independence leaders failing to translate as wise politicians and capable administrators. The skills needed to win independence are not those required to rebuild and run a successful state.

So the record of successful secessionist movements is, overall, poor. The rhetoric of freedom and reward is more usually reflected in little of either.

Catalonia is luckier than most, having an experienced set of politicians and administrators. It also has, for now at least, an intact infrastructure and a vibrant economy. Its chances of success, should Madrid let it go, would be better than most.

Yet what is now more practically needed in Catalonia, and for most other secessionist movements, is a relatively high level of regional autonomy. Loosening the ties that bind can ease tensions and make states more stable, if in federated or similar form, rather than being tightly controlled and therefore presented.

Spanish President Mariano Rajoy&rsquo;s threat to revoke Catalonia&rsquo;s autonomy is, therefore, precisely the wrong response for a leader wishing to quell secessionist demands. It was, after all, Spain&rsquo;s Constitutional Court&rsquo;s decision to restrict Catalonia&rsquo;s existing autonomy that sparked the present calls for independence.

Spain&rsquo;s governing People&rsquo;s Party may strengthen its faltering support base by appealing to a wider nationalist sentiment in favour of state unity and imposing control over Catalonia. But imposed control will likely prompt further and more deeply entrenched separatist sentiment.

Given their vast differences, the fate of the handful of successful separatist movements cannot be used as indicators of an independent Catalonia&rsquo;s future. But the drivers of separatism and impediments to achieving independence are shared.

Catalonia has been at the forefront of Spain&rsquo;s domestic battles, and it could be that the current push for independence will spark another. Should it come to this, the cost of such conflict would exceed any possible benefits, for both Catalonia and for Spain.

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/85097/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />The question, then, is how Spain&rsquo;s national government and the Catalan independence movement can step back from a showdown. Failure to do so may mean the consequences become irretrievable.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" nofollow="" rel="">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/passion-and-pain-why-secessionist-movements-rarely-succeed-85097" nofollow="" rel="">original article</a>.

The skills needed to win independence are not those required to rebuild and run a successful state.

Calls for “independence” have been increasingly heard on the streets of Barcelona in recent days. Those powerful emotions can drive people to extremes, which in some cases include killing and dying. Yet for the high price often paid, independence movements are rarely successful and their outcomes are usually less than hoped for. Catalonia’s recent vote for independence provoked a heavy-handed response from the government in Madrid. This has, in almost textbook style, conversely increased support for independence. The Spanish government’s response was wrong if the intention was to secure Catalonia’s loyalty, but perhaps the right response if the intention was to shore up falling nationalist support elsewhere. Independence movements commonly start with a small number of idealists, yet quickly grow when central governments respond with repression. In such circumstances, the desire for “freedom” takes root and flourishes. So the first responses of central governments to secessionist movements are critical to their outcome. There are currently well over 100 secessionist movements, including four in the Philippines, dozens in India, around eight in Myanmar, and several dozen in Africa. Many of these have produced bloodshed and trauma well in excess of possible practical gains. Yet, despite their numbers, very few secessionist movements are ultimately successful, while the costs for governments imposing a nominal unity can be high for all involved. With high risks and limited chances of success, secessionist movements are rarely about pragmatism and more about fervour. Even with popular support, these movements rarely have the political or military capacity to impose their will on the state from which they intend to secede. Such limited examples of secessionist success that there are have relied on either external intervention – such as Bangladesh and Kosovo – or agreement by a weakened parent state, such as Eritrea and South Sudan. Timor-Leste achieved independence on the back of both factors. Having overcome daunting odds of achieving independence, the success of post-secessionist states has, on balance, been poor. Bangladesh has struggled between periods of incapable civilian government, military coups and a state of emergency. Since independence in 1991, Eritrea has been an authoritarian one-party state with no political activity allowed. Kosovo has been marked by divisive ethnic politics, while South Sudan has been wracked by ethnopolitical fighting since independence in 2011. Timor-Leste is a successful democracy, yet survived intact only due to international intervention ending civil conflict in 2006. Of the world’s separatist movements, the most recent and notable, next to Catalonia, is Kurdistan. A Kurdish state would have a potentially sound oil-based economy and a very capable military. Yet even an independent Kurdistan would require access to trade routes to export oil. This is currently blocked by its parent state, Iraq, and suspicion or hostility from neighbouring Turkey, Syria and Iran. Kurdistan may continue to pursue independence, but it would likely have a more viable economic future as an autonomous state in a federated Iraq. Even when successful, the cost of independence can be high. It can bring destructive wars, lack of economic activity and independence leaders failing to translate as wise politicians and capable administrators. The skills needed to win independence are not those required to rebuild and run a successful state. So the record of successful secessionist movements is, overall, poor. The rhetoric of freedom and reward is more usually reflected in little of either. Catalonia is luckier than most, having an experienced set of politicians and administrators. It also has, for now at least, an intact infrastructure and a vibrant economy. Its chances of success, should Madrid let it go, would be better than most. Yet what is now more practically needed in Catalonia, and for most other secessionist movements, is a relatively high level of regional autonomy. Loosening the ties that bind can ease tensions and make states more stable, if in federated or similar form, rather than being tightly controlled and therefore presented. Spanish President Mariano Rajoy’s threat to revoke Catalonia’s autonomy is, therefore, precisely the wrong response for a leader wishing to quell secessionist demands. It was, after all, Spain’s Constitutional Court’s decision to restrict Catalonia’s existing autonomy that sparked the present calls for independence. Spain’s governing People’s Party may strengthen its faltering support base by appealing to a wider nationalist sentiment in favour of state unity and imposing control over Catalonia. But imposed control will likely prompt further and more deeply entrenched separatist sentiment. Given their vast differences, the fate of the handful of successful separatist movements cannot be used as indicators of an independent Catalonia’s future. But the drivers of separatism and impediments to achieving independence are shared. Catalonia has been at the forefront of Spain’s domestic battles, and it could be that the current push for independence will spark another. Should it come to this, the cost of such conflict would exceed any possible benefits, for both Catalonia and for Spain. The question, then, is how Spain’s national government and the Catalan independence movement can step back from a showdown. Failure to do so may mean the consequences become irretrievable. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Catalonia: Secessionist movements rarely succeed

Catalonia&#39;s police chief appeared in court in Madrid&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;to answer accusations of sedition over his handling of unrest last month sparked by the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-president-vows-region-will-declare-independence-within-days-21006" target="_blank"> region&#39;s contested independence drive</a>.

An investigating judge summoned Josep Lluis Trapero along with three other suspects, a move that escalated tensions between the regional and national governments.

Catalan leaders have threatened to declare independence in defiance of the national government and courts, after pushing ahead with a banned referendum on the issue last Sunday.

The independence dispute has laid bare a rift between Catalonia&#39;s regional police and national security forces deployed to the region.

Trapero&#39;s force was accused of failing to rein in pro-independence protesters during recent unrest in the northeastern region.

The accusations refer to unrest in Barcelona on September 20 and 21 after national security forces raided regional government offices in a crackdown against the independence drive.

Trapero arrived at Madrid&#39;s National Court&nbsp;on Friday&nbsp;flanked by two fellow officers and made no comment to waiting reporters, an AFP reporter saw.

Two other defendants also arrived to answer the same charge, the leaders of Catalonia&#39;s two most prominent pro-independence civil groups, Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Cultural and Jordi Sanchez of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC)

They were greeted outside the court by a cheering crowd of politicians from allied parties.

Contested referendum&nbsp;

A small group of about eight anti-independence protesters also demonstrated outside the court yelling &quot;Catalonia is Spain,&quot; before police made them leave.

A fourth defendant, senior Catalan police official Teresa Laplana, was due to appear before the judge by video link for health reasons, court officials said.

Tensions between Catalonia and the national government have plunged Spain into its worst political crisis in decades.

Announcing the summons&nbsp;on Wednesday, the court said the four suspects were accused of &quot;a crime of sedition... in relation to the gatherings and demonstrations carried out to forcibly prevent the authorities and their officers from performing their duties.&quot;

The crime of sedition is punishable by up to 15 years in prison if committed by a member of the authorities, under Spain&#39;s penal code.

In the September demonstrations called by Omnium and ANC, protesters damaged Civil Guard police vehicles and stopped officers from leaving the building they were searching.

Police prevented the defendants&#39; supporters from entering the court building with them&nbsp;on Friday.

One Catalan lawmaker defiantly waved at police a voting paper from last Sunday&#39;s contested independence referendum.

That vote was banned by Madrid and marred by violence by national police against voters.

National security forces beat unarmed voters as officers shut down some polling stations.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-hundred-thousand-catalans-rally-against-occupation-forces-20963" target="_blank">Several hundred thousand Catalans rally against &#39;occupation forces&#39;</a>

An investigating judge summoned Josep Lluis Trapero along with three other suspects, a move that escalated tensions between the regional and national governments

Catalonia's police chief appeared in court in Madrid on Friday to answer accusations of sedition over his handling of unrest last month sparked by the region's contested independence drive. An investigating judge summoned Josep Lluis Trapero along with three other suspects, a move that escalated tensions between the regional and national governments. Catalan leaders have threatened to declare independence in defiance of the national government and courts, after pushing ahead with a banned referendum on the issue last Sunday. The independence dispute has laid bare a rift between Catalonia's regional police and national security forces deployed to the region. Trapero's force was accused of failing to rein in pro-independence protesters during recent unrest in the northeastern region. The accusations refer to unrest in Barcelona on September 20 and 21 after national security forces raided regional government offices in a crackdown against the independence drive. Trapero arrived at Madrid's National Court on Friday flanked by two fellow officers and made no comment to waiting reporters, an AFP reporter saw. Two other defendants also arrived to answer the same charge, the leaders of Catalonia's two most prominent pro-independence civil groups, Jordi Cuixart of Omnium Cultural and Jordi Sanchez of the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) They were greeted outside the court by a cheering crowd of politicians from allied parties. Contested referendum A small group of about eight anti-independence protesters also demonstrated outside the court yelling "Catalonia is Spain," before police made them leave. A fourth defendant, senior Catalan police official Teresa Laplana, was due to appear before the judge by video link for health reasons, court officials said. Tensions between Catalonia and the national government have plunged Spain into its worst political crisis in decades. Announcing the summons on Wednesday, the court said the four suspects were accused of "a crime of sedition... in relation to the gatherings and demonstrations carried out to forcibly prevent the authorities and their officers from performing their duties." The crime of sedition is punishable by up to 15 years in prison if committed by a member of the authorities, under Spain's penal code. In the September demonstrations called by Omnium and ANC, protesters damaged Civil Guard police vehicles and stopped officers from leaving the building they were searching. Police prevented the defendants' supporters from entering the court building with them on Friday. One Catalan lawmaker defiantly waved at police a voting paper from last Sunday's contested independence referendum. That vote was banned by Madrid and marred by violence by national police against voters. National security forces beat unarmed voters as officers shut down some polling stations. Also read: Several hundred thousand Catalans rally against 'occupation forces'

Catalan police chief accused of sedition, appears in court

Spain&#39;s government Friday urged Catalonia to hold a regional election to settle the political crisis sparked by Catalan separatist leaders&#39; drive for independence.

&quot;It would be good to start mending this fracture... through regional elections,&quot; government spokesman Ignacio Mendez de Vigo told a news conference.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-hundred-thousand-catalans-rally-against-occupation-forces-20963" target="_blank">Several hundred thousand Catalans rally against &#39;occupation forces&#39;</a>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalan-president-vows-region-will-declare-independence-within-days-21006" target="_blank">Catalan President vows region will declare independence within days</a>

Spain apologises to Catalans injured in police crackdown

A Spanish government official Friday offered the first apology to Catalans injured by police during their outlawed independence vote as the sides showed tentative signs of seeking an exit from the crisis.

In Spain&#39;s deepest political crisis in decades, Catalan leaders had threatened to declare independence unilaterally and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed to stop them, rejecting calls for mediation.

The worsening standoff raised fears of further unrest in the northeastern region, a tourist-friendly land of 7.5 million people that accounts for a fifth of Spain&#39;s economy.

But Friday saw the first signs the sides may be willing to step back from the brink in a political conflict that threatens to destabilise Europe.

After days of ill-tempered rhetoric, the central government said it regretted last Sunday&#39;s injuries and suggested Catalonia should hold a regional election to settle the crisis.

Catalan government minister Santi Vila, a close of ally of regional president Carles Puigdemont, meanwhile told broadcaster Rac1 that his side could consider a &quot;ceasefire&quot; in the dispute, to avoid a further crackdown by Madrid.

Regret 
Puigdemont postponed an appearance in the regional parliament at which some leaders were hoping for a declaration of independence, a spokesman said.

Spain&#39;s central government apologised on behalf of police to people hurt in last Sunday&#39;s referendum disturbances.

&quot;I can do nothing but regret it, apologise on behalf of the officers who intervened,&quot; said the government&#39;s representative in Catalonia, Enric Millo.

&quot;I am very sad, very sorry, we deeply regret that we have arrived at this situation, it has been very hard, everything that we have experienced and seen these past few days,&quot; he said.

Central government spokesman Ignacio Mendez de Vigo also said later he &quot;regretted&quot; the injuries.

&quot;It would be good to start mending this fracture... through regional elections,&quot; he told a news conference.

&#39;Sedition&#39; claims 
In Madrid meanwhile, Catalonia&#39;s police chief and two prominent separatist leaders avoided being remanded in custody at a court hearing Friday over sedition accusations.

The court summons raised tensions, but despite the gravity of the accusations the court did not issue a custodial order that could have further escalated the dispute.

Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, leaders of Catalonia&#39;s two biggest pro-independence civil groups, and regional police chief Josep Lluis Trapero walked free from the preliminary hearing at the National Court in Madrid.

A court official told AFP the judge had ordered no custody or other cautionary measures against them pending an investigation into the accusations.

The two civil leaders were accused of sedition for their role in unrest during protests in Barcelona last month.

Trapero&#39;s force was accused of failing to rein in the protesters.

&quot;We are convinced that sooner rather than later the Spanish state will have to sit down for a dialogue&quot; with the Catalan regional government, Cuixart said.

The government says it will not join in any talks or accept mediation until the Catalans abandon their independence drive.

Secession session 
Spain&#39;s Constitutional Court on Thursday ordered the suspension of a session scheduled for Monday in the Catalan parliament at which some leaders have called for an independence declaration.

If Catalonia declares independence, Spain could respond by suspending the region&#39;s existing autonomous status and imposing direct rule from Madrid.

Economic stakes 
In spite of the government apology on Friday, the government in Madrid pushed ahead with a measure to pressure Catalonia economically.

It passed a decree to make it quicker for businesses to shift their legal domiciles away from one region to another.

Catalonia&#39;s second-biggest bank said Thursday it was shifting its legal headquarters out of the region due to the turbulence.

Catalonia&#39;s biggest lender CaixaBank was also set to hold discussions on Friday about possibly shifting its legal domicile out of the region, a source close to the matter told AFP.

With its own language and cultural traditions, demands for independence in Catalonia date back centuries but have surged during recent years of economic crisis.

Footballers speak out 
Barcelona Football Club, a powerful symbol of Catalan identity, and its captain Andres Iniesta called for dialogue to settle the crisis.

&quot;Do it for all of us. We deserve to live in peace,&quot; Iniesta wrote on Facebook.

His Spain team mate and Real Madrid rival Sergio Ramos said he hoped the crisis will be &quot;resolved as soon as possible.&quot;

He spoke at a news conference ahead of Friday night&#39;s World Cup qualifier against Albania.

But Ramos also said &quot;hats off&quot; to Spain&#39;s King Felipe, who angered Catalan leaders by calling them to drop their independence drive.

'It would be good to start mending this fracture... through regional elections,' government spokesman Ignacio Mendez de Vigo told a news conference

Spain's government Friday urged Catalonia to hold a regional election to settle the political crisis sparked by Catalan separatist leaders' drive for independence. "It would be good to start mending this fracture... through regional elections," government spokesman Ignacio Mendez de Vigo told a news conference. Also read: Several hundred thousand Catalans rally against 'occupation forces' Also read: Catalan President vows region will declare independence within days Spain apologises to Catalans injured in police crackdown A Spanish government official Friday offered the first apology to Catalans injured by police during their outlawed independence vote as the sides showed tentative signs of seeking an exit from the crisis. In Spain's deepest political crisis in decades, Catalan leaders had threatened to declare independence unilaterally and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed to stop them, rejecting calls for mediation. The worsening standoff raised fears of further unrest in the northeastern region, a tourist-friendly land of 7.5 million people that accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy. But Friday saw the first signs the sides may be willing to step back from the brink in a political conflict that threatens to destabilise Europe. After days of ill-tempered rhetoric, the central government said it regretted last Sunday's injuries and suggested Catalonia should hold a regional election to settle the crisis. Catalan government minister Santi Vila, a close of ally of regional president Carles Puigdemont, meanwhile told broadcaster Rac1 that his side could consider a "ceasefire" in the dispute, to avoid a further crackdown by Madrid. Regret Puigdemont postponed an appearance in the regional parliament at which some leaders were hoping for a declaration of independence, a spokesman said. Spain's central government apologised on behalf of police to people hurt in last Sunday's referendum disturbances. "I can do nothing but regret it, apologise on behalf of the officers who intervened," said the government's representative in Catalonia, Enric Millo. "I am very sad, very sorry, we deeply regret that we have arrived at this situation, it has been very hard, everything that we have experienced and seen these past few days," he said. Central government spokesman Ignacio Mendez de Vigo also said later he "regretted" the injuries. "It would be good to start mending this fracture... through regional elections," he told a news conference. 'Sedition' claims In Madrid meanwhile, Catalonia's police chief and two prominent separatist leaders avoided being remanded in custody at a court hearing Friday over sedition accusations. The court summons raised tensions, but despite the gravity of the accusations the court did not issue a custodial order that could have further escalated the dispute. Jordi Cuixart and Jordi Sanchez, leaders of Catalonia's two biggest pro-independence civil groups, and regional police chief Josep Lluis Trapero walked free from the preliminary hearing at the National Court in Madrid. A court official told AFP the judge had ordered no custody or other cautionary measures against them pending an investigation into the accusations. The two civil leaders were accused of sedition for their role in unrest during protests in Barcelona last month. Trapero's force was accused of failing to rein in the protesters. "We are convinced that sooner rather than later the Spanish state will have to sit down for a dialogue" with the Catalan regional government, Cuixart said. The government says it will not join in any talks or accept mediation until the Catalans abandon their independence drive. Secession session Spain's Constitutional Court on Thursday ordered the suspension of a session scheduled for Monday in the Catalan parliament at which some leaders have called for an independence declaration. If Catalonia declares independence, Spain could respond by suspending the region's existing autonomous status and imposing direct rule from Madrid. Economic stakes In spite of the government apology on Friday, the government in Madrid pushed ahead with a measure to pressure Catalonia economically. It passed a decree to make it quicker for businesses to shift their legal domiciles away from one region to another. Catalonia's second-biggest bank said Thursday it was shifting its legal headquarters out of the region due to the turbulence. Catalonia's biggest lender CaixaBank was also set to hold discussions on Friday about possibly shifting its legal domicile out of the region, a source close to the matter told AFP. With its own language and cultural traditions, demands for independence in Catalonia date back centuries but have surged during recent years of economic crisis. Footballers speak out Barcelona Football Club, a powerful symbol of Catalan identity, and its captain Andres Iniesta called for dialogue to settle the crisis. "Do it for all of us. We deserve to live in peace," Iniesta wrote on Facebook. His Spain team mate and Real Madrid rival Sergio Ramos said he hoped the crisis will be "resolved as soon as possible." He spoke at a news conference ahead of Friday night's World Cup qualifier against Albania. But Ramos also said "hats off" to Spain's King Felipe, who angered Catalan leaders by calling them to drop their independence drive.

Spain urges Catalan election to settle independence crisis

Spanish deputy prime minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria today hit out at Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont over his statement calling for a way out of the Catalan crisis.

Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont in a televised statement had warned King Felipe would lose the support of many Catalan people after he accused Catalan supporters of going against democratic norms and dividing Spanish society.

Spanish deputy PM Santamaria dismissed Puigdemont&#39;s speech&nbsp;saying he was going against the law and was &quot;completely detached from reality&quot;.

The deputy PM termed Puigdemont&#39;s statement as &quot;embarrassing&quot;.

The Catalan parliament is set to declare independence from Spain next Monday even as&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/several-hundred-thousand-catalans-rally-against-occupation-forces-20963" target="_blank">thousands of Catalans rallied in fury on Tuesday during a general strike over violence by Spanish riot police against voters taking part in the referendum.</a>

On Sunday, almost 91 people were injured when Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets and forced their way into activist-held polling stations as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalonia-38-hurt-in-crackdown-on-independence-vote-police-fire-rubber-bullets-in-barcelona-20877" target="_blank">thousands flooded the streets to vote in an independence referendum declared illegal by the Spanish government and courts.</a>

The deputy PM termed President Puigdemont's statement as "embarrassing"

Spanish deputy prime minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria today hit out at Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont over his statement calling for a way out of the Catalan crisis. Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont in a televised statement had warned King Felipe would lose the support of many Catalan people after he accused Catalan supporters of going against democratic norms and dividing Spanish society. Spanish deputy PM Santamaria dismissed Puigdemont's speech saying he was going against the law and was "completely detached from reality". The deputy PM termed Puigdemont's statement as "embarrassing". The Catalan parliament is set to declare independence from Spain next Monday even as thousands of Catalans rallied in fury on Tuesday during a general strike over violence by Spanish riot police against voters taking part in the referendum. On Sunday, almost 91 people were injured when Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets and forced their way into activist-held polling stations as thousands flooded the streets to vote in an independence referendum declared illegal by the Spanish government and courts.

Puigdemont detached from reality: Spanish deputy PM

Tension mounted in Spain on Wednesday after Catalonia&#39;s leader vowed that the region would declare independence within days, defying a stern warning from the country&#39;s king that national stability was in peril.

The courts meanwhile placed Catalan police officials and pro-independence civil leaders under investigation for alleged &quot;sedition&quot; as Spain sank deeper into its worst political crisis in decades.

King Felipe VI branded the independence drive illegal and undemocratic, throwing his weight behind the national government.

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<h5>Spain&#39;s King Felipe VI branded the independence drive illegal and undemocratic, throwing his weight behind the national government</h5>
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But Catalan leaders dug in, buoyed by anger at a violent police crackdown against voters during Sunday&#39;s referendum on independence which had been banned by Madrid and the courts.

The Catalan government will &quot;act at the end of this week or the beginning of next&quot; to declare independence, its leader Carles Puigdemont told the BBC in an interview.

He was scheduled to give a further televised address at 1900 GMT on Wednesday.

Independence declaration&nbsp;

The Catalan government&#39;s spokesman Jordi Turull said that regional authorities had &quot;nearly finished counting the votes.&quot;

The result will be submitted to the regional parliament which will have two days &quot;to proclaim the independence of Catalonia,&quot; he said in a television interview.

The move would intensify the standoff with the central government, which along with the national courts has branded the referendum illegal.

Madrid has the power to suspend the semi-autonomous status that Catalonia currently enjoys under Spain&#39;s system of regional governments.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has yet to respond publicly to Sunday&#39;s vote, but the king&#39;s intervention could clear the way for him to act.

&quot;It is the responsibility of the legitimate state powers to ensure constitutional order,&quot; Felipe said.

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans rallied in fury on Tuesday during a general strike over violence by Spanish riot police against voters taking part in the referendum on Sunday.

&#39;Fuel to the fire&#39;&nbsp;

Felipe&#39;s dramatic intervention late Tuesday was a gauge of tension in Spain.

Catalan leaders &quot;with their irresponsible conduct could put at risk the economic and social stability of Catalonia and all of Spain,&quot; he said.

Felipe repeated his earlier calls for harmony between Spaniards.

But after Sunday&#39;s violence, his address risked further fanning resentment in Catalonia.

&quot;It was awful. It was a mistake whichever any way you look at it,&quot; Turull said of the king&#39;s speech.

&quot;Instead of calming things, what it did was throw fuel on the fire.&quot;

Catalan &#39;sedition&#39; probe&nbsp;

Adding to tensions, a judge on Wednesday placed Catalonia&#39;s regional police chief Josep Luis Trapero and three other suspects under investigation for an alleged &quot;crime of sedition.&quot;

The force has been accused of failing to rein in pro-independence protesters during disturbances in Barcelona last month.

Catalans split&nbsp;

A rich industrial region of 7.5 million people with their own language and cultural traditions, Catalonia accounts for a fifth of Spain&#39;s economy.

Spain&#39;s key IBEX 35 stock index fell by 2.3 percent Wednesday on the ongoing turbulence, with some big Catalan banks down more than six percent.

Catalan claims for independence date back centuries but have surged during recent years of economic crisis.

Puigdemont&#39;s regional government claimed that 2.26 million people took part in the poll, or just over 42 percent of the electorate, but the vote was held without regular electoral lists or observers.

The regional government said 90 percent of those who voted backed independence, although polls indicate Catalans are split.

International concern

The European Parliament is to debate the Catalonia crisis later on Wednesday.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tuesday Washington was &quot;saddened&quot; by reports of injuries during Sunday&#39;s vote and called for &quot;all parties to resolve their political differences non-violently.&quot;

Meanwhile, a grouping of Catalans opposed to independence called for supporters to join a counter-demonstration in Barcelona on Sunday. The call was backed by the regional branch of Spain&#39;s governing conservative Popular Party.

Carles Puigdemont said his government will 'act at the end of this week or the beginning of next' to declare independence

Tension mounted in Spain on Wednesday after Catalonia's leader vowed that the region would declare independence within days, defying a stern warning from the country's king that national stability was in peril. The courts meanwhile placed Catalan police officials and pro-independence civil leaders under investigation for alleged "sedition" as Spain sank deeper into its worst political crisis in decades. King Felipe VI branded the independence drive illegal and undemocratic, throwing his weight behind the national government. Spain's King Felipe VI branded the independence drive illegal and undemocratic, throwing his weight behind the national government × But Catalan leaders dug in, buoyed by anger at a violent police crackdown against voters during Sunday's referendum on independence which had been banned by Madrid and the courts. The Catalan government will "act at the end of this week or the beginning of next" to declare independence, its leader Carles Puigdemont told the BBC in an interview. He was scheduled to give a further televised address at 1900 GMT on Wednesday. Independence declaration The Catalan government's spokesman Jordi Turull said that regional authorities had "nearly finished counting the votes." The result will be submitted to the regional parliament which will have two days "to proclaim the independence of Catalonia," he said in a television interview. The move would intensify the standoff with the central government, which along with the national courts has branded the referendum illegal. Madrid has the power to suspend the semi-autonomous status that Catalonia currently enjoys under Spain's system of regional governments. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has yet to respond publicly to Sunday's vote, but the king's intervention could clear the way for him to act. "It is the responsibility of the legitimate state powers to ensure constitutional order," Felipe said. Hundreds of thousands of Catalans rallied in fury on Tuesday during a general strike over violence by Spanish riot police against voters taking part in the referendum on Sunday. 'Fuel to the fire' Felipe's dramatic intervention late Tuesday was a gauge of tension in Spain. Catalan leaders "with their irresponsible conduct could put at risk the economic and social stability of Catalonia and all of Spain," he said. Felipe repeated his earlier calls for harmony between Spaniards. But after Sunday's violence, his address risked further fanning resentment in Catalonia. "It was awful. It was a mistake whichever any way you look at it," Turull said of the king's speech. "Instead of calming things, what it did was throw fuel on the fire." Catalan 'sedition' probe Adding to tensions, a judge on Wednesday placed Catalonia's regional police chief Josep Luis Trapero and three other suspects under investigation for an alleged "crime of sedition." The force has been accused of failing to rein in pro-independence protesters during disturbances in Barcelona last month. Catalans split A rich industrial region of 7.5 million people with their own language and cultural traditions, Catalonia accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy. Spain's key IBEX 35 stock index fell by 2.3 percent Wednesday on the ongoing turbulence, with some big Catalan banks down more than six percent. Catalan claims for independence date back centuries but have surged during recent years of economic crisis. Puigdemont's regional government claimed that 2.26 million people took part in the poll, or just over 42 percent of the electorate, but the vote was held without regular electoral lists or observers. The regional government said 90 percent of those who voted backed independence, although polls indicate Catalans are split. International concern The European Parliament is to debate the Catalonia crisis later on Wednesday. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tuesday Washington was "saddened" by reports of injuries during Sunday's vote and called for "all parties to resolve their political differences non-violently." Meanwhile, a grouping of Catalans opposed to independence called for supporters to join a counter-demonstration in Barcelona on Sunday. The call was backed by the regional branch of Spain's governing conservative Popular Party.

Catalan President vows region will declare independence within days

The leader of Catalonia called for international mediation on Monday to resolve a stand-off with Madrid, the day after hundreds were injured as police tried to forcibly disrupt a referendum on independence that had been ruled illegal.

&quot;It is not a domestic matter,&quot; Carles Puigdemont told a news conference on Monday. &quot;It&#39;s obvious that we need mediation.&quot;

Sunday&#39;s events in the autonomous region dramatically raised the temperature in a festering split between Madrid and Barcelona and made it harder for the two sides to sit down to try to find a political compromise.

Images of riot police using rubber bullets and batons in a show of force to stop the vote shocked Spain and drew international condemnation. Authorities said almost 900 people had been injured.

Puigdemont had gone ahead with the referendum in defiance of a court order. On Monday, he said the vote was valid and binding, and had to be applied.

He urged Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to say whether he was in favour of mediation in talks over the region&#39;s future, which he said should be overseen by the European Union.

He added that he had received no indication that the EU could sponsor this mediating role, and said Brussels had been timid and lacked courage on the matter.

In a statement issued shortly before Puigdemont made his proposal, the European Commission said: &quot;We call on all relevant players to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue. Violence can never be an instrument in politics.&quot;

The ballot, which asked voters if they wanted an independent republic, has no legal status as it was banned by Spain&#39;s Constitutional Court for being at odds with the 1978 constitution, which states Spain cannot be broken up.

The overwhelming &quot;Yes&quot; vote among the 42 percent who authorities said had made it to the polls was not a surprise as those favouring continued union had been expected to stay at home en masse. Opinion polls in the run-up to the vote had put support for independence at only around 40 percent.

On Monday, Justice Minister Rafael Catala said Spain could use its constitutional power to suspend Catalan&#39;s existing autonomy if the regional parliament declared independence.

&quot;We will use the entire force of the law. Our obligation is to resolve problems and we&#39;ll do it, even though using certain measures might hurt,&quot; he said in a television interview.

Carles Puigdemont also called for international mediation

The leader of Catalonia called for international mediation on Monday to resolve a stand-off with Madrid, the day after hundreds were injured as police tried to forcibly disrupt a referendum on independence that had been ruled illegal. "It is not a domestic matter," Carles Puigdemont told a news conference on Monday. "It's obvious that we need mediation." Sunday's events in the autonomous region dramatically raised the temperature in a festering split between Madrid and Barcelona and made it harder for the two sides to sit down to try to find a political compromise. Images of riot police using rubber bullets and batons in a show of force to stop the vote shocked Spain and drew international condemnation. Authorities said almost 900 people had been injured. Puigdemont had gone ahead with the referendum in defiance of a court order. On Monday, he said the vote was valid and binding, and had to be applied. He urged Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to say whether he was in favour of mediation in talks over the region's future, which he said should be overseen by the European Union. He added that he had received no indication that the EU could sponsor this mediating role, and said Brussels had been timid and lacked courage on the matter. In a statement issued shortly before Puigdemont made his proposal, the European Commission said: "We call on all relevant players to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue. Violence can never be an instrument in politics." The ballot, which asked voters if they wanted an independent republic, has no legal status as it was banned by Spain's Constitutional Court for being at odds with the 1978 constitution, which states Spain cannot be broken up. The overwhelming "Yes" vote among the 42 percent who authorities said had made it to the polls was not a surprise as those favouring continued union had been expected to stay at home en masse. Opinion polls in the run-up to the vote had put support for independence at only around 40 percent. On Monday, Justice Minister Rafael Catala said Spain could use its constitutional power to suspend Catalan's existing autonomy if the regional parliament declared independence. "We will use the entire force of the law. Our obligation is to resolve problems and we'll do it, even though using certain measures might hurt," he said in a television interview.

Catalan President says independence vote is valid, has to be applied

Spanish police in riot gear seized ballot boxes and surrounded activist-held polling stations in Catalonia Sunday as thousands flooded the streets to vote in an independence referendum banned by Madrid.

As the vote officially opened, scenes of chaos erupted as police began moving in to prevent people from casting their ballots, forcing their way into one sports centre in the town of Girona where the region`s separatist leader was due to vote.&nbsp;

The drama unfolded after a night of tension in which thousands of people, both nervous and excited, had gathered outside polling stations before dawn to vote, with police under orders to prevent the ballot from happening.

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<h5>Votarem, votarem!&#39; -- Catalan for &#39;We will vote!&#39; -- the crowds chanted</h5>
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&quot;Votarem, votarem!&quot; -- Catalan for &quot;We will vote!&quot; -- chanted the crowds, many with their hands in the air.&nbsp;

As the rain poured down in Barcelona, students and activists who had spent the night in schools designated as polling stations gathered outside with locals to &quot;defend&quot; the vote from police as cars drove by honking their horns in support.

Catalan television broadcast footage of crowds in towns and villages all over region, whose separatist government said early Sunday the referendum would go ahead as planned.&nbsp;

Although the region is divided over independence, most people want to vote on the matter in legal, binding plebiscite.

&quot;The government today is in a position to affirm that we can celebrate the referendum of self-determination -- not as we wanted, but (it will have democratic) guarantees,&quot; Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull told a news conference.But the interior ministry said it had started seizing ballot boxes, adding police were &quot;continuing to deploy in Catalonia&quot; to stop the referendum.

Spain`s central government is staunchly against the vote, which has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, and has vowed to stop it from taking place.

On orders of judges and prosecutors, police have seized ballot papers, detained key organisers and shut down websites promoting the vote.

But on the streets early Sunday, voters were determined to be heard.

&quot;Today is a historic day for us, it`s terrific,&quot; Maria Rosa Pi-Sunyer Arguimbau, 55, said after a man carrying a ballot box jumped out of a car and ran to the door, depositing it inside as two police officers looked on across the street.

The ballot boxes have been at the centre of attention during the referendum crisis, with many wondering exactly where they were hidden and how they would be delivered to polling stations, as police were ordered to seize any material related to the referendum.

But as people crowded in front of polling stations, they started to arrive, carried in by individuals. It was as yet unclear where they came from.The planned referendum has sown divisions among Catalans and stoked passions further afield in Spain.

Whatever happens, Sunday`s referendum result will not be recognised by Madrid, and almost certainly not by the international community.

But separatist leaders are banking on a high turnout to give legitimacy to their vote.

Spain`s interior ministry said Saturday police had closed most of the 2,315 polling stations across Catalonia.

But dozens were occupied by teachers, parents, students and activists determined to let people in anyway.

Some schools designated as polling stations imagined innovative ways to stay open, organising leisure activities all over the weekend, from kids` pyjama parties to volleyball games.

A regional government source said voting may also take place in other places like health centres and even retirement homes.

Farmers and firefighters have also pledged to protect polling stations.Earlier this week, the Mossos d`Esquadra Catalan police warned about the risk of &quot;disruption of public order&quot; if people were prevented from casting ballots.

Ignacio Sellares, a 56-year-old tax consultant at a polling station in Barcelona said he wasn`t scared.

&quot;Having said that, if police come with weapons and water cannons, I`m getting out of here fast!&quot;.

Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia to stop the referendum from happening.

On Saturday, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont called on those going to vote to maintain a &quot;peaceful attitude&quot;.

That same day, thousands took to the streets across the country -- including in Barcelona -- in favour of national unity.

As well as being critical of Puigdemont, some protesters also faulted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy`s conservative government for limiting its response to the crisis to repeating that the referendum is unconstitutional.

&quot;The state needs to explain the benefits of remaining united, instead of repeating all the time that the referendum is illegal,&quot; said Rafael Castillo, a 59-year-old engineer at a Madrid rally, wearing a scarf with the Spanish flag around his neck.

Spanish police in riot gear seized ballot boxes and surrounded activist-held polling stations

Spanish police in riot gear seized ballot boxes and surrounded activist-held polling stations in Catalonia Sunday as thousands flooded the streets to vote in an independence referendum banned by Madrid. As the vote officially opened, scenes of chaos erupted as police began moving in to prevent people from casting their ballots, forcing their way into one sports centre in the town of Girona where the region`s separatist leader was due to vote. The drama unfolded after a night of tension in which thousands of people, both nervous and excited, had gathered outside polling stations before dawn to vote, with police under orders to prevent the ballot from happening. Votarem, votarem!' -- Catalan for 'We will vote!' -- the crowds chanted × "Votarem, votarem!" -- Catalan for "We will vote!" -- chanted the crowds, many with their hands in the air. As the rain poured down in Barcelona, students and activists who had spent the night in schools designated as polling stations gathered outside with locals to "defend" the vote from police as cars drove by honking their horns in support. Catalan television broadcast footage of crowds in towns and villages all over region, whose separatist government said early Sunday the referendum would go ahead as planned. Although the region is divided over independence, most people want to vote on the matter in legal, binding plebiscite. "The government today is in a position to affirm that we can celebrate the referendum of self-determination -- not as we wanted, but (it will have democratic) guarantees," Catalan government spokesman Jordi Turull told a news conference.But the interior ministry said it had started seizing ballot boxes, adding police were "continuing to deploy in Catalonia" to stop the referendum. Spain`s central government is staunchly against the vote, which has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, and has vowed to stop it from taking place. On orders of judges and prosecutors, police have seized ballot papers, detained key organisers and shut down websites promoting the vote. But on the streets early Sunday, voters were determined to be heard. "Today is a historic day for us, it`s terrific," Maria Rosa Pi-Sunyer Arguimbau, 55, said after a man carrying a ballot box jumped out of a car and ran to the door, depositing it inside as two police officers looked on across the street. The ballot boxes have been at the centre of attention during the referendum crisis, with many wondering exactly where they were hidden and how they would be delivered to polling stations, as police were ordered to seize any material related to the referendum. But as people crowded in front of polling stations, they started to arrive, carried in by individuals. It was as yet unclear where they came from.The planned referendum has sown divisions among Catalans and stoked passions further afield in Spain. Whatever happens, Sunday`s referendum result will not be recognised by Madrid, and almost certainly not by the international community. But separatist leaders are banking on a high turnout to give legitimacy to their vote. Spain`s interior ministry said Saturday police had closed most of the 2,315 polling stations across Catalonia. But dozens were occupied by teachers, parents, students and activists determined to let people in anyway. Some schools designated as polling stations imagined innovative ways to stay open, organising leisure activities all over the weekend, from kids` pyjama parties to volleyball games. A regional government source said voting may also take place in other places like health centres and even retirement homes. Farmers and firefighters have also pledged to protect polling stations.Earlier this week, the Mossos d`Esquadra Catalan police warned about the risk of "disruption of public order" if people were prevented from casting ballots. Ignacio Sellares, a 56-year-old tax consultant at a polling station in Barcelona said he wasn`t scared. "Having said that, if police come with weapons and water cannons, I`m getting out of here fast!". Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia to stop the referendum from happening. On Saturday, Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont called on those going to vote to maintain a "peaceful attitude". That same day, thousands took to the streets across the country -- including in Barcelona -- in favour of national unity. As well as being critical of Puigdemont, some protesters also faulted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy`s conservative government for limiting its response to the crisis to repeating that the referendum is unconstitutional. "The state needs to explain the benefits of remaining united, instead of repeating all the time that the referendum is illegal," said Rafael Castillo, a 59-year-old engineer at a Madrid rally, wearing a scarf with the Spanish flag around his neck.

Spain: Police move in as Catalonians begin to vote in independence referendum

Hundreds of people started gathering at polling stations in Catalonia early Sunday to vote in an independence referendum, saying they would defend their right to take part in a ballot banned by the central government in Madrid.

In Barcelona and Girona, the bastion of Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, people turned out despite drizzly weather before dawn to protect polling stations.

Spain&#39;s central government is staunchly against the vote, which has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, and has used all the legal tools at its disposal to stop it from taking place.

On orders of judges and prosecutors, police have seized ballot papers, detained key organisers and shut down websites promoting the vote.

But on the streets early Sunday, voters were determined to be heard.

&quot;In Catalonia, we are at the stage where we think that it&#39;s essential to decide if we want to remain part of the Spanish state,&quot; Pau Valls, an 18-year-old student told AFP.

In an interview with AFP on Saturday, Puigdemont insisted that his government had &quot;everything in place&quot; so that the referendum could go ahead in the wealthy region that is home to some 7.5 million people.

Occupied schools 
The planned referendum has sown divisions among Catalans and stoked passions further afield in Spain.

Opinion polls show the region is deeply divided over independence, but a large majority of Catalans want to be able to settle the matter in a referendum, though most would prefer it to be legal and binding.

Whatever happens, Sunday&#39;s referendum result will not be recognised by Madrid, and almost certainly not by the international community.

But separatist leaders are banking on a high turnout to give legitimacy to their vote, though it is as yet unclear how people will be able to cast their ballots.

Spain&#39;s interior ministry said Saturday police had closed most of the 2,315 polling stations across Catalonia.

But at least 160 were occupied by teachers, parents, students and activists determined to let people in anyway.

All eyes were on whether police would forcefully evict them.

Some schools designated as polling stations imagined innovative ways to stay open, organising leisure activities all over the weekend, from kids&#39; pyjama parties to volleyball games.

A regional government source said voting may also take place in other places like health centres and even retirement homes.

Farmers and firefighters have also pledged to protect polling stations.

Berta Clos, an 18-year-old student, was helping to occupy Barcelona&#39;s Menendez y Pelayo Institute.

She said Catalan police had already told those inside that they would come and notify them that they had to shut the school down.

&quot;But they have also told us that if there are people inside, they won&#39;t be able to do it so we just need to make sure that this remains open.&quot;

Unity protests 
The Mossos d&#39;Esquadra Catalan police have warned about the risk of &quot;disruption of public order&quot; if efforts are made to prevent people from casting ballots.

Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia to stop the referendum from happening.

On Saturday, Puigdemont called on those going to vote to maintain a &quot;peaceful attitude&quot;.

That same day, thousands took to the streets across the country -- including in Barcelona -- in favour of national unity.

As well as being critical of Puigdemont, some protesters also faulted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy&#39;s conservative government for limiting its response to the crisis to repeating that the referendum is unconstitutional.

&quot;The state needs to explain the benefits of remaining united, instead of repeating all the time that the referendum is illegal,&quot; said Rafael Castillo, a 59-year-old engineer at a Madrid rally, wearing a scarf with the Spanish flag around his neck.

Whatever happens on Sunday, analysts fear that the standoff between Catalan leaders and Madrid has left a damaging mark.

And it is unlikely to blow over after the vote.

Carles Riera, a regional parliament lawmaker for the radical CUP party, part of Catalonia&#39;s separatist coalition, vowed that mobilisation would continue after the vote -- if the &quot;yes&quot; camp won but Madrid opposed the result, as is almost certain.

&quot;We&#39;re in a process of popular mobilisation that is going to last a while,&quot; he told reporters.

Hundreds of people formed pre-dawn queues at polling stations

Hundreds of people started gathering at polling stations in Catalonia early Sunday to vote in an independence referendum, saying they would defend their right to take part in a ballot banned by the central government in Madrid. In Barcelona and Girona, the bastion of Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, people turned out despite drizzly weather before dawn to protect polling stations. Spain's central government is staunchly against the vote, which has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, and has used all the legal tools at its disposal to stop it from taking place. On orders of judges and prosecutors, police have seized ballot papers, detained key organisers and shut down websites promoting the vote. But on the streets early Sunday, voters were determined to be heard. "In Catalonia, we are at the stage where we think that it's essential to decide if we want to remain part of the Spanish state," Pau Valls, an 18-year-old student told AFP. In an interview with AFP on Saturday, Puigdemont insisted that his government had "everything in place" so that the referendum could go ahead in the wealthy region that is home to some 7.5 million people. Occupied schools The planned referendum has sown divisions among Catalans and stoked passions further afield in Spain. Opinion polls show the region is deeply divided over independence, but a large majority of Catalans want to be able to settle the matter in a referendum, though most would prefer it to be legal and binding. Whatever happens, Sunday's referendum result will not be recognised by Madrid, and almost certainly not by the international community. But separatist leaders are banking on a high turnout to give legitimacy to their vote, though it is as yet unclear how people will be able to cast their ballots. Spain's interior ministry said Saturday police had closed most of the 2,315 polling stations across Catalonia. But at least 160 were occupied by teachers, parents, students and activists determined to let people in anyway. All eyes were on whether police would forcefully evict them. Some schools designated as polling stations imagined innovative ways to stay open, organising leisure activities all over the weekend, from kids' pyjama parties to volleyball games. A regional government source said voting may also take place in other places like health centres and even retirement homes. Farmers and firefighters have also pledged to protect polling stations. Berta Clos, an 18-year-old student, was helping to occupy Barcelona's Menendez y Pelayo Institute. She said Catalan police had already told those inside that they would come and notify them that they had to shut the school down. "But they have also told us that if there are people inside, they won't be able to do it so we just need to make sure that this remains open." Unity protests The Mossos d'Esquadra Catalan police have warned about the risk of "disruption of public order" if efforts are made to prevent people from casting ballots. Madrid has sent thousands of extra police officers from other forces to Catalonia to stop the referendum from happening. On Saturday, Puigdemont called on those going to vote to maintain a "peaceful attitude". That same day, thousands took to the streets across the country -- including in Barcelona -- in favour of national unity. As well as being critical of Puigdemont, some protesters also faulted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative government for limiting its response to the crisis to repeating that the referendum is unconstitutional. "The state needs to explain the benefits of remaining united, instead of repeating all the time that the referendum is illegal," said Rafael Castillo, a 59-year-old engineer at a Madrid rally, wearing a scarf with the Spanish flag around his neck. Whatever happens on Sunday, analysts fear that the standoff between Catalan leaders and Madrid has left a damaging mark. And it is unlikely to blow over after the vote. Carles Riera, a regional parliament lawmaker for the radical CUP party, part of Catalonia's separatist coalition, vowed that mobilisation would continue after the vote -- if the "yes" camp won but Madrid opposed the result, as is almost certain. "We're in a process of popular mobilisation that is going to last a while," he told reporters.

Spain: Catalonians gather for independence referendum

Spain is on tenterhooks as the crisis between Catalan separatist leaders and the central government reaches fever-pitch ahead of an independence referendum banned by Madrid&nbsp;on Sunday.

The showdown is one of Spain&#39;s biggest political crisis since the end of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco four decades ago and it has Catalonia deeply divided.

So how did the situation get so out of hand?

Catalan separatists called the referendum on September 6 despite a ban by Spain&#39;s Constitutional Court and with little debate allowed in the regional parliament.

Since then, web closures, detentions and the seizure of millions of ballots don&#39;t appear to have dampened the enthusiasm of the separatists in this wealthy northeastern region which is home to 16 percent of Spain&#39;s population.

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<h5>On the subject of independence, Catalonia is divided almost down the middle... even within families</h5>
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When the organisers have been fined thousands of euros, activists have raised funds.

Ballot papers seized? They have called on people to print more.

And when internet sites promoting the referendum are blocked, others re-open.

Determined to block the illegal vote, the state has deployed thousands of police to Catalonia, some of them housed in ferries in the ports of Barcelona and Tarragona. One of the boats is decorated with giant Looney Tunes cartoon characters, including Tweety.

Cue the hashtag #FreeTweety, which has become a worldwide trending topic on Twitter, the little yellow bird becoming an emblem of Catalans who want to vote.

Catexit

But the potential independence of Catalonia, roughly the size of Belgium and contributing 19 percent of Spain&#39;s economy, is no laughing matter.

The consequences are hard to predict, leading to comparisons with Britain&#39;s decision to quit the European Union, which was made at a referendum in June 2016.

&quot;It&#39;s like the Brexit, just as stupid,&quot; says Beatriz Migens, a 43-year-old from the southern city of Seville, on the high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona where she spends two days a week for work.

In Madrid, Rodrigo Marrero, a lawyer from the Canary Islands who works in the Spanish capital, says: &quot;If Catalonia left, it would be like losing a limb.&quot;

&quot;Everyone I know is dismayed, we talk of nothing else.&quot;

For his part, Ferran Mascarell, who represents the Catalan executive in Madrid, says there has long been resentment among Catalans who feel that Madrid holds them in contempt.

But the impact of Spain&#39;s economic crisis, followed by the Constitutional Court&#39;s partial cancellation in 2010 of a statute giving Catalonia greater autonomy, turned this into outright anger, he adds.

&quot;It&#39;s the result of a revolt of the middle-class against the state, which isn&#39;t doing its job right.&quot;

But those who oppose independence, particularly the Ciudadanos party, believe it is about more than that

They claim that some politicians have used the struggle for independence as a way to divert attention from corruption cases in Catalonia and mismanagement of the region.

&#39;We will vote&#39;

Catalonia has its own language and culture but out of its 7.5 million inhabitants, more than half come from elsewhere, such as those whose parents or grandparents migrated from other parts of Spain.

And on the subject of independence, Catalonia is divided almost down the middle... even within families.

But more than 70 percent of Catalans want to settle the matter once and for all in a legal referendum, according to opinion polls.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, though, refuses. He has repeatedly said any such referendum would contravene the very Constitution that Catalans overwhelmingly ratified in 1978.

He is also reluctant to open a Pandora&#39;s box in a fragile decentralised Spain where regions have differing levels of autonomy.

Still, after managing to emerge from a damaging economic crisis and put a stop to attacks by Basque separatist group ETA, Spain&#39;s image has taken a hit.

For weeks, the state, its judges and police forces have pulled out the stops to stop the Catalan vote.

Protests have broken out in Barcelona and other Catalan cities -- all peaceful except that several police vans were damaged.

Firefighters, dockers, farmers and school children have shown their determination with slogans like &quot;Votarem&quot; (Catalan for &quot;we will vote&quot;) or &quot;love democracy.&quot;

Madrid has however emphasised that even if Catalans manage to vote en masse&nbsp;on Sunday, it will not be a referendum with any semblance of legitimacy.

There is no electoral census, the board set up to oversee the vote has been dissolved, and parties against independence have called on their followers to boycott&nbsp;Sunday&#39;s&nbsp;vote.

The state is determined to block the vote, which it calls illegal

Spain is on tenterhooks as the crisis between Catalan separatist leaders and the central government reaches fever-pitch ahead of an independence referendum banned by Madrid on Sunday. The showdown is one of Spain's biggest political crisis since the end of the dictatorship of Francisco Franco four decades ago and it has Catalonia deeply divided. So how did the situation get so out of hand? Catalan separatists called the referendum on September 6 despite a ban by Spain's Constitutional Court and with little debate allowed in the regional parliament. Since then, web closures, detentions and the seizure of millions of ballots don't appear to have dampened the enthusiasm of the separatists in this wealthy northeastern region which is home to 16 percent of Spain's population. On the subject of independence, Catalonia is divided almost down the middle... even within families × When the organisers have been fined thousands of euros, activists have raised funds. Ballot papers seized? They have called on people to print more. And when internet sites promoting the referendum are blocked, others re-open. Determined to block the illegal vote, the state has deployed thousands of police to Catalonia, some of them housed in ferries in the ports of Barcelona and Tarragona. One of the boats is decorated with giant Looney Tunes cartoon characters, including Tweety. Cue the hashtag #FreeTweety, which has become a worldwide trending topic on Twitter, the little yellow bird becoming an emblem of Catalans who want to vote. Catexit But the potential independence of Catalonia, roughly the size of Belgium and contributing 19 percent of Spain's economy, is no laughing matter. The consequences are hard to predict, leading to comparisons with Britain's decision to quit the European Union, which was made at a referendum in June 2016. "It's like the Brexit, just as stupid," says Beatriz Migens, a 43-year-old from the southern city of Seville, on the high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona where she spends two days a week for work. In Madrid, Rodrigo Marrero, a lawyer from the Canary Islands who works in the Spanish capital, says: "If Catalonia left, it would be like losing a limb." "Everyone I know is dismayed, we talk of nothing else." For his part, Ferran Mascarell, who represents the Catalan executive in Madrid, says there has long been resentment among Catalans who feel that Madrid holds them in contempt. But the impact of Spain's economic crisis, followed by the Constitutional Court's partial cancellation in 2010 of a statute giving Catalonia greater autonomy, turned this into outright anger, he adds. "It's the result of a revolt of the middle-class against the state, which isn't doing its job right." But those who oppose independence, particularly the Ciudadanos party, believe it is about more than that They claim that some politicians have used the struggle for independence as a way to divert attention from corruption cases in Catalonia and mismanagement of the region. 'We will vote' Catalonia has its own language and culture but out of its 7.5 million inhabitants, more than half come from elsewhere, such as those whose parents or grandparents migrated from other parts of Spain. And on the subject of independence, Catalonia is divided almost down the middle... even within families. But more than 70 percent of Catalans want to settle the matter once and for all in a legal referendum, according to opinion polls. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, though, refuses. He has repeatedly said any such referendum would contravene the very Constitution that Catalans overwhelmingly ratified in 1978. He is also reluctant to open a Pandora's box in a fragile decentralised Spain where regions have differing levels of autonomy. Still, after managing to emerge from a damaging economic crisis and put a stop to attacks by Basque separatist group ETA, Spain's image has taken a hit. For weeks, the state, its judges and police forces have pulled out the stops to stop the Catalan vote. Protests have broken out in Barcelona and other Catalan cities -- all peaceful except that several police vans were damaged. Firefighters, dockers, farmers and school children have shown their determination with slogans like "Votarem" (Catalan for "we will vote") or "love democracy." Madrid has however emphasised that even if Catalans manage to vote en masse on Sunday, it will not be a referendum with any semblance of legitimacy. There is no electoral census, the board set up to oversee the vote has been dissolved, and parties against independence have called on their followers to boycott Sunday's vote.

Spain on tenterhooks ahead of Catalan independence referendum

Spanish police raided Catalan government offices and arrested officials on Wednesday to halt a banned referendum on independence, an action the regional president said meant Madrid had effectively taken over his administration.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered outside the regional government offices in the centre of Barcelona&#39;s tourist district as well as in several Catalan cities, waving the red-and-yellow Catalan flag and chanting &quot;Occupying forces out&quot; and &quot;Where is Europe?&quot;.

&quot;The Spanish state has by all rights intervened in Catalonia&#39;s government and has established emergency rule,&quot; Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said in a televised address.

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<h5>The Spanish state has by all rights intervened in Catalonia&#39;s government and has established emergency rule,&#39; Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said in a televised address</h5>
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&quot;We condemn and reject the anti-democratic and totalitarian actions of the Spanish state,&quot; he said, adding Catalans should turn out in force to vote in the Oct. 1 referendum on a split from Spain that Madrid has declared illegal.

State police arrested Catalonia&#39;s junior economy minister Josep Maria Jove on Wednesday in their first raid of government offices in the region, Catalan government sources said. The raid targeted several regional government departments.

A dozen high-ranking local officials were arrested, La Vanguardia newspaper said. Police confirmed they were carrying out raids connected with the banned referendum, but did not give details. The Catalan government sources could not confirm the other arrests.

In several Barcelona districts, people banged on balconies railings and dumpsters while passing cars hooted noisily.

Among the protesters outside the government office in Barcelona, was Carlos, a 47-year-old taxi driver.

&quot;We&#39;re here so they know they can&#39;t do whatever they want,&quot; he said, as protesters bore banners reading &quot;Democracy&quot; and &quot;Vote to be free&quot;.

The FC Barcelona soccer club said in a statement: &quot;FC Barcelona, in remaining faithful to its historic commitment to the defence of the nation, to democracy, to freedom of speech, and to self-determination, condemns any act that may impede the free exercise of these rights.&quot;

Police efforts to stop the referendum have intensified in recent days as the wealthy northeastern region shows no signs of halting it.

Acting under court orders, police have raided printers, newspaper offices and private delivery companies in a search for campaign literature, instruction manuals for manning voting stations and ballot boxes.

The Civil Guard, a national police force, on Wednesday seized 10 million ballot papers, polling station displays as well as documents and forms to run the vote, including a list of voters under the headline &quot;2017 Catalonia self-determination referendum&quot;.

Stock market falls

It had on Tuesday seized more than 45,000 envelopes packed in cardboard boxes that the Catalan government was ready to send to notify people about the referendum, while the first of hundreds of Catalan mayors appeared before the state prosecutor after they said they would back the referendum.

Spain&#39;s finance ministry has taken over the region&#39;s finances to prevent the use of public money to organise the vote.

But the central government must tread a fine line in enforcing the law in the region without seeming heavy-handed. Polls show a minority of Catalans, albeit more than 40 percent, support independence although a majority want a referendum on the issue.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Wednesday the operations in Catalonia were the result of legal rulings and were to ensure the rule of law.

He later called on Catalan leaders to cancel the vote.

&quot;Don&#39;t go ahead, you don&#39;t have any legitimacy to do it. Go back to the law and democracy (...) This referendum is a chimera,&quot; he said in a televised speech. Any action that broke the law would be met with a proportionate response, he added.

The Constitutional Court has suspended the vote after the central government challenged its legality. Spain&#39;s central government says the referendum goes against the 1978 constitution which states Spain is indivisible.

Under Article 155 of the constitution, Madrid has the power to suspend the regional government&#39;s authority to rule. It has yet to exercise this option as it seeks to block the vote through the courts.

Although markets have so far shrugged off the increasing tension, Spain&#39;s top stock index underperformed regional European stock peers on Wednesday.

The Catalan president said the action meant Madrid had effectively taken over his administration

Spanish police raided Catalan government offices and arrested officials on Wednesday to halt a banned referendum on independence, an action the regional president said meant Madrid had effectively taken over his administration. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered outside the regional government offices in the centre of Barcelona's tourist district as well as in several Catalan cities, waving the red-and-yellow Catalan flag and chanting "Occupying forces out" and "Where is Europe?". "The Spanish state has by all rights intervened in Catalonia's government and has established emergency rule," Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said in a televised address. The Spanish state has by all rights intervened in Catalonia's government and has established emergency rule,' Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said in a televised address × "We condemn and reject the anti-democratic and totalitarian actions of the Spanish state," he said, adding Catalans should turn out in force to vote in the Oct. 1 referendum on a split from Spain that Madrid has declared illegal. State police arrested Catalonia's junior economy minister Josep Maria Jove on Wednesday in their first raid of government offices in the region, Catalan government sources said. The raid targeted several regional government departments. A dozen high-ranking local officials were arrested, La Vanguardia newspaper said. Police confirmed they were carrying out raids connected with the banned referendum, but did not give details. The Catalan government sources could not confirm the other arrests. In several Barcelona districts, people banged on balconies railings and dumpsters while passing cars hooted noisily. Among the protesters outside the government office in Barcelona, was Carlos, a 47-year-old taxi driver. "We're here so they know they can't do whatever they want," he said, as protesters bore banners reading "Democracy" and "Vote to be free". The FC Barcelona soccer club said in a statement: "FC Barcelona, in remaining faithful to its historic commitment to the defence of the nation, to democracy, to freedom of speech, and to self-determination, condemns any act that may impede the free exercise of these rights." Police efforts to stop the referendum have intensified in recent days as the wealthy northeastern region shows no signs of halting it. Acting under court orders, police have raided printers, newspaper offices and private delivery companies in a search for campaign literature, instruction manuals for manning voting stations and ballot boxes. The Civil Guard, a national police force, on Wednesday seized 10 million ballot papers, polling station displays as well as documents and forms to run the vote, including a list of voters under the headline "2017 Catalonia self-determination referendum". Stock market falls It had on Tuesday seized more than 45,000 envelopes packed in cardboard boxes that the Catalan government was ready to send to notify people about the referendum, while the first of hundreds of Catalan mayors appeared before the state prosecutor after they said they would back the referendum. Spain's finance ministry has taken over the region's finances to prevent the use of public money to organise the vote. But the central government must tread a fine line in enforcing the law in the region without seeming heavy-handed. Polls show a minority of Catalans, albeit more than 40 percent, support independence although a majority want a referendum on the issue. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Wednesday the operations in Catalonia were the result of legal rulings and were to ensure the rule of law. He later called on Catalan leaders to cancel the vote. "Don't go ahead, you don't have any legitimacy to do it. Go back to the law and democracy (...) This referendum is a chimera," he said in a televised speech. Any action that broke the law would be met with a proportionate response, he added. The Constitutional Court has suspended the vote after the central government challenged its legality. Spain's central government says the referendum goes against the 1978 constitution which states Spain is indivisible. Under Article 155 of the constitution, Madrid has the power to suspend the regional government's authority to rule. It has yet to exercise this option as it seeks to block the vote through the courts. Although markets have so far shrugged off the increasing tension, Spain's top stock index underperformed regional European stock peers on Wednesday.

Spanish police raid Catalan government to halt independence referendum

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/five-match-ban-seems-exaggerated-and-ridiculous-cristiano-ronaldo-19093">Cristiano&nbsp;Ronaldo&nbsp;will have to serve his five-match ban</a> for pushing a referee after the Spanish sports court (TAD) rejected Real Madrid&#39;s appeal against the length of the suspension, Spanish media reported on Tuesday citing court officials.

The Portuguese<a href="http://www.wionews.com/football/real-madrid-to-appeal-ronaldo-card-zidane-18952"> forward shoved official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea</a> after being sent off during Real&#39;s 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on August&nbsp;13.

As a result, the Spanish Football Federation issued&nbsp;Ronaldo&nbsp;with a $3,543.20&nbsp;fine and a four match suspension in addition to the automatic one game ban the player was due to serve for the red card.

&quot;Another incomprehensible decision. From injustice to injustice, they will never overthrow me,&quot; Ronaldo&nbsp;posted on Instagram.

The ban ruled&nbsp;Ronaldo&nbsp;out of the Super Cup second leg and Madrid&#39;s first La Liga match of the season against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. Real won both matches.

The striker will sit out league fixtures against Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad before making his comeback against Real Betis on September&nbsp;20.

Cristiano Ronaldo will have to serve his five-match ban for pushing a referee after the Spanish sports court (TAD) rejected Real Madrid's appeal against the length of the suspension

Cristiano Ronaldo will have to serve his five-match ban for pushing a referee after the Spanish sports court (TAD) rejected Real Madrid's appeal against the length of the suspension, Spanish media reported on Tuesday citing court officials. The Portuguese forward shoved official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after being sent off during Real's 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on August 13. As a result, the Spanish Football Federation issued Ronaldo with a $3,543.20 fine and a four match suspension in addition to the automatic one game ban the player was due to serve for the red card. "Another incomprehensible decision. From injustice to injustice, they will never overthrow me," Ronaldo posted on Instagram. The ban ruled Ronaldo out of the Super Cup second leg and Madrid's first La Liga match of the season against Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. Real won both matches. The striker will sit out league fixtures against Valencia, Levante and Real Sociedad before making his comeback against Real Betis on September 20.

From injustice to injustice: Ronaldo blasts Spanish football federation over suspension

Four men accused of killing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-who-rammed-car-into-crowd-in-barcelona-killed-another-before-fleeing-in-his-car-police-19273">13 people in Barcelona last week appeared </a>in court on Tuesday, a day after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/barcelona-van-driver-killed-in-police-encounter-report-19279">alleged driver was shot dead by police</a>.

The four, the only ones still alive among the 12 men thought to constitute the group, were brought from Barcelona to Madrid and arrived at the High Court, which deals with terrorism cases, in a convoy of police vehicles with sirens wailing.

Police on Monday shot dead 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub, who they had identified as the driver of the van that careered along the packed Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona on Thursday, leaving a trail of 13 dead and 120 injured from 34 countries.

After the attack, Abouyaaqoub escaped on foot, stabbing to death a man who was parking his car and fleeing in the vehicle.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia said on Tuesday he walked some 40 km (25 miles) from Sant Just Desvern, a town on the outskirts of Barcelona where he ditched the hijacked car, to Subirats, where he was shot dead.

Abouyaaqoub, who had changed clothes, walked by night and hid during the day, the paper said citing sources involved in the investigation.

Carlos Mundo, the top justice official in the Catalan government, said police were investigating whether Abouyaaqoub had any support while on the run.

&quot;It is clear that he must have had some form of logistics,&quot; he told Catalonia Radio.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the van attack and a separate deadly assault, hours later, in the coastal resort of Cambrils, south of Barcelona.

In Cambrils, a car rammed into passers-by and its occupants got out and tried to stab people. The five assailants, who were wearing what turned out to be fake explosive belts, were shot dead by police, while a Spanish woman died in the attack.

In little more than a year, Islamist militants have used vehicles as weapons to kill nearly 130 people in France, Germany, Britain, Sweden and Spain.

Most of the 12 suspects lived in the town of Ripoll, set in forested hills beneath the Pyrenees north of Barcelona near the French border, and most were young men of Moroccan descent.

One of those who appeared before investigating magistrate Fernando Andreu was Driss Oukabir, whose passport was found in the abandoned van after the Barcelona attack.

He turned himself in to police, protesting his innocence and saying his younger brother Moussa Oukabir, 17, who was killed in Cambrils, had stolen his documents.

Also in court was Mohammed Aalla, owner of the Audi car used in the Cambrils attack. One of his brothers, Said, was killed in Cambrils and a second, Youssef, is believed by police to have died in an explosion at a house used by the plotters at Alcanar, southwest of Barcelona, the day before the Barcelona attack.

Mohamed Houli Chemlal, arrested after being hurt in the blast at Alcanar, also appeared in court as did Salah el Karib, who ran an internet cafe in Ripoll that, according to La Vanguardia newspaper, was used to send money to Morocco.

At Tuesday&#39;s closed-door hearing, Andreu planned to read out charges against the men expected to include counts of terrorism, murder and weapons possession. Andreu was then to ask the accused if they wish to testify, in which case he would question them.

The hearing was likely to end in the suspects being remanded in custody while the judge conducts an investigation that could take months or even years before a trial is organised.

A Ripoll imam who police suspect may have radicalised the young men, Abdelbaki Es Satty, is believed to have died in the explosion in Alcanar. Police believe the blast foiled the group&#39;s plans for a much bigger attack using explosives.

Catalan police said on Monday that, while all 12 of the suspects they were looking for were accounted for, an investigation into whether the cell had international links would go on.

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb on Tuesday confirmed press reports that the Audi used in the Cambrils attack had been caught on camera speeding in the Paris area about a week earlier. Authorities did not know why it was there, he said.

French authorities were unaware of the existence of the Catalan cell, Collomb told BFM TV, saying they were &quot;exclusively Spanish&quot;.

Spanish police have sought information from Belgian authorities on a visit the imam, Es Satty, made there last year.

The four, the only ones still alive among the 12 men thought to constitute the group, were brought from Barcelona to Madrid and arrived at the High Court, which deals with terrorism cases, in a convoy of police vehicles with sirens wailing

Four men accused of killing 13 people in Barcelona last week appeared in court on Tuesday, a day after the alleged driver was shot dead by police. The four, the only ones still alive among the 12 men thought to constitute the group, were brought from Barcelona to Madrid and arrived at the High Court, which deals with terrorism cases, in a convoy of police vehicles with sirens wailing. Police on Monday shot dead 22-year-old Younes Abouyaaqoub, who they had identified as the driver of the van that careered along the packed Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona on Thursday, leaving a trail of 13 dead and 120 injured from 34 countries. After the attack, Abouyaaqoub escaped on foot, stabbing to death a man who was parking his car and fleeing in the vehicle. Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia said on Tuesday he walked some 40 km (25 miles) from Sant Just Desvern, a town on the outskirts of Barcelona where he ditched the hijacked car, to Subirats, where he was shot dead. Abouyaaqoub, who had changed clothes, walked by night and hid during the day, the paper said citing sources involved in the investigation. Carlos Mundo, the top justice official in the Catalan government, said police were investigating whether Abouyaaqoub had any support while on the run. "It is clear that he must have had some form of logistics," he told Catalonia Radio. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the van attack and a separate deadly assault, hours later, in the coastal resort of Cambrils, south of Barcelona. In Cambrils, a car rammed into passers-by and its occupants got out and tried to stab people. The five assailants, who were wearing what turned out to be fake explosive belts, were shot dead by police, while a Spanish woman died in the attack. In little more than a year, Islamist militants have used vehicles as weapons to kill nearly 130 people in France, Germany, Britain, Sweden and Spain. Most of the 12 suspects lived in the town of Ripoll, set in forested hills beneath the Pyrenees north of Barcelona near the French border, and most were young men of Moroccan descent. One of those who appeared before investigating magistrate Fernando Andreu was Driss Oukabir, whose passport was found in the abandoned van after the Barcelona attack. He turned himself in to police, protesting his innocence and saying his younger brother Moussa Oukabir, 17, who was killed in Cambrils, had stolen his documents. Also in court was Mohammed Aalla, owner of the Audi car used in the Cambrils attack. One of his brothers, Said, was killed in Cambrils and a second, Youssef, is believed by police to have died in an explosion at a house used by the plotters at Alcanar, southwest of Barcelona, the day before the Barcelona attack. Mohamed Houli Chemlal, arrested after being hurt in the blast at Alcanar, also appeared in court as did Salah el Karib, who ran an internet cafe in Ripoll that, according to La Vanguardia newspaper, was used to send money to Morocco. At Tuesday's closed-door hearing, Andreu planned to read out charges against the men expected to include counts of terrorism, murder and weapons possession. Andreu was then to ask the accused if they wish to testify, in which case he would question them. The hearing was likely to end in the suspects being remanded in custody while the judge conducts an investigation that could take months or even years before a trial is organised. A Ripoll imam who police suspect may have radicalised the young men, Abdelbaki Es Satty, is believed to have died in the explosion in Alcanar. Police believe the blast foiled the group's plans for a much bigger attack using explosives. Catalan police said on Monday that, while all 12 of the suspects they were looking for were accounted for, an investigation into whether the cell had international links would go on. French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb on Tuesday confirmed press reports that the Audi used in the Cambrils attack had been caught on camera speeding in the Paris area about a week earlier. Authorities did not know why it was there, he said. French authorities were unaware of the existence of the Catalan cell, Collomb told BFM TV, saying they were "exclusively Spanish". Spanish police have sought information from Belgian authorities on a visit the imam, Es Satty, made there last year.

Four suspected Barcelona attack plotters appear in court

Spanish police said Monday that they have identified the driver of the van that mowed down pedestrians on the busy Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona, killing 13.

Police in Catalonia announced the identification on Twitter, without giving his name.&nbsp;

But Catalonia&#39;s regional interior minister Joaquim Forn told local radio that &quot;everything suggests the van driver is Younes Abouyaaqoub&quot;.&nbsp;

The 22-year-old Moroccan remains at large, and police said Sunday that they did not know if he was still in Spain.

&quot;We don&#39;t know where he is,&quot; regional police chief Josep Lluis Trapero said Sunday.

Police announced the identification on Twitter but did not give the driver's name

Spanish police said Monday that they have identified the driver of the van that mowed down pedestrians on the busy Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona, killing 13. Police in Catalonia announced the identification on Twitter, without giving his name. But Catalonia's regional interior minister Joaquim Forn told local radio that "everything suggests the van driver is Younes Abouyaaqoub". The 22-year-old Moroccan remains at large, and police said Sunday that they did not know if he was still in Spain. "We don't know where he is," regional police chief Josep Lluis Trapero said Sunday.

Driver of Barcelona attack van identified, say police

India and Spain on Wednesday signed seven agreements across multiple sectors following delegation-level talks, co-chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy in Madrid.

Giving fresh impetus to multifarious relations between Spain and India, PM Modi and Rajoy witnessed the exchange of seven Memoranda of Understanding&#39;s (MOU)&nbsp;across various fields:

1. Transfer of sentenced persons

2. Cooperation in Organ Transplantation

3. Cooperation in Cybersecurity

4. Technical Cooperation in Civil Aviation

5. Visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports

6. MOU between Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain

7. Cooperation in Renewable Energy

Prime Minister Modi said cooperation in railway&nbsp;expansion and upgradations, smart cities, infrastructure, et cetera&nbsp;are areas of India&#39;s priorities and requirements where Spain has enough skills and mastery in such fields.

Applauding economic reforms undertaken by the Spanish government, PM Modi said, &quot;Under President Rajoy&#39;s leadership, Spain has undergone economic reforms. Economic growth and development are also the biggest priority for my government and this era belongs to transformation. Close ties with Spain will take both of us to a new direction&quot;.

He added, &quot;With a mission of promoting my vision of &#39;New India&#39;, this visit will bring a new momentum in the ties of India with Spain by giving fresh impetus to a multifarious relation.&quot;

Describing terrorism as a global threat, Modi said, &quot;Both our countries have faced terrorism and strengthening cooperation on this security challenge is an important part of bilateral agenda. Terrorism is a challenge for all of our societies, we get to hear a lot about terror attacks these days.&quot;

Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day state visit to Spain. He arrived in Madrid on Tuesday amid his four-nation tour.&nbsp;

(ANI)

Indian PM Modi met Spain's PM, Mariano Rajoy, in Madrid to discuss a broad partnership in several domains

India and Spain on Wednesday signed seven agreements across multiple sectors following delegation-level talks, co-chaired by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy in Madrid. Giving fresh impetus to multifarious relations between Spain and India, PM Modi and Rajoy witnessed the exchange of seven Memoranda of Understanding's (MOU) across various fields: 1. Transfer of sentenced persons 2. Cooperation in Organ Transplantation 3. Cooperation in Cybersecurity 4. Technical Cooperation in Civil Aviation 5. Visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports 6. MOU between Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain 7. Cooperation in Renewable Energy Prime Minister Modi said cooperation in railway expansion and upgradations, smart cities, infrastructure, et cetera are areas of India's priorities and requirements where Spain has enough skills and mastery in such fields. Applauding economic reforms undertaken by the Spanish government, PM Modi said, "Under President Rajoy's leadership, Spain has undergone economic reforms. Economic growth and development are also the biggest priority for my government and this era belongs to transformation. Close ties with Spain will take both of us to a new direction". He added, "With a mission of promoting my vision of 'New India', this visit will bring a new momentum in the ties of India with Spain by giving fresh impetus to a multifarious relation." Describing terrorism as a global threat, Modi said, "Both our countries have faced terrorism and strengthening cooperation on this security challenge is an important part of bilateral agenda. Terrorism is a challenge for all of our societies, we get to hear a lot about terror attacks these days." Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day state visit to Spain. He arrived in Madrid on Tuesday amid his four-nation tour. (ANI)

India-Spain strengthen bilateral ties, sign seven crucial agreements as MOU

A counter-terror operation conducted jointly by Spain and Morocco has led to the arrest of two suspected extremists in the Spanish region of Catalonia and another in the Moroccan city of Tangiers, the interior ministry said Monday.

In Spain, a 21-year-old man was arrested in Barcelona while a 32-year-old male was detained 100 kilometers (62 miles) down the coast in Tarragona; both allegedly intended to travel to conflicts zones in Syria and Iraq and had expressed a willingness to die fighting for the Islamic State terror organization.

The duo, both Moroccan nationals, are suspected of having maintained contact with IS members already fighting in the war-torn areas of the Middle East and had worked on behalf of the terror organization in Spain by spreading propaganda and trying to recruit people online and in person.

A third suspect, detained in the northern Moroccan city of Tangiers, allegedly belonged to an IS-affiliated group.

The operation was conducted by Spain&#39;s National Police in conjunction with Moroccan counter-terror units and the regional police forces in Barcelona and Tarragona.

It formed part of a wider operation launched in Oct. 2015.

Since the government raised the nation&#39;s terror alert status to the second-highest level (4) in June 2015, Spanish security agents have arrested 162 suspected extremists.

(EFE) 
&nbsp;

The operation was conducted by Spain's National Police in conjunction with Moroccan counter-terror units

A counter-terror operation conducted jointly by Spain and Morocco has led to the arrest of two suspected extremists in the Spanish region of Catalonia and another in the Moroccan city of Tangiers, the interior ministry said Monday. In Spain, a 21-year-old man was arrested in Barcelona while a 32-year-old male was detained 100 kilometers (62 miles) down the coast in Tarragona; both allegedly intended to travel to conflicts zones in Syria and Iraq and had expressed a willingness to die fighting for the Islamic State terror organization. The duo, both Moroccan nationals, are suspected of having maintained contact with IS members already fighting in the war-torn areas of the Middle East and had worked on behalf of the terror organization in Spain by spreading propaganda and trying to recruit people online and in person. A third suspect, detained in the northern Moroccan city of Tangiers, allegedly belonged to an IS-affiliated group. The operation was conducted by Spain's National Police in conjunction with Moroccan counter-terror units and the regional police forces in Barcelona and Tarragona. It formed part of a wider operation launched in Oct. 2015. Since the government raised the nation's terror alert status to the second-highest level (4) in June 2015, Spanish security agents have arrested 162 suspected extremists. (EFE)

Spanish police arrest 3 suspected extremists, all with links to IS

Basque militant separatist group ETA, which waged a bloody campaign for independence from Spain for over half a century, said early on Friday it had given up all its arms and explosives.

The BBC cited what it said was a letter from ETA declaring it had handed all its weapons to civilian go-betweens and was now a disarmed organisation.

The move stops short of a full disbanding of the organisation that has killed more than 850 people in its quest for an independent state in the mountainous Basque region that incorporates part of northern Spain and south-western France.

The middlemen are due to hand over the weapons to authorities on Saturday in the French city of Bayonne in a process first flagged in March by Basque activists.

The letter, published in full on the BBC website, gave no details on how the handover would be carried out. It is not clear if the process will be formally accepted by the Spanish and French governments.

Spain&#39;s ruling Popular Party, which refuses to negotiate with ETA, said the planned handover was a surrender.

&quot;On April 8, ETA will accept its defeat after nearly six years in which it said it would make concessions which never materialised,&quot; the PP&#39;s representative in the Basque parliament, Alfonso Alonso, told national radio late on Thursday.

No government representative was immediately available for comment on Friday.

ETA declared a ceasefire in 2011, but did not disarm. The group, formed in 1959 during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, has been severely weakened in recent years after authorities arrested hundreds of its members and seized several of its weapons stashes.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

ETA has waged a bloody campaign for independence from Spain for over half a century

Basque militant separatist group ETA, which waged a bloody campaign for independence from Spain for over half a century, said early on Friday it had given up all its arms and explosives. The BBC cited what it said was a letter from ETA declaring it had handed all its weapons to civilian go-betweens and was now a disarmed organisation. The move stops short of a full disbanding of the organisation that has killed more than 850 people in its quest for an independent state in the mountainous Basque region that incorporates part of northern Spain and south-western France. The middlemen are due to hand over the weapons to authorities on Saturday in the French city of Bayonne in a process first flagged in March by Basque activists. The letter, published in full on the BBC website, gave no details on how the handover would be carried out. It is not clear if the process will be formally accepted by the Spanish and French governments. Spain's ruling Popular Party, which refuses to negotiate with ETA, said the planned handover was a surrender. "On April 8, ETA will accept its defeat after nearly six years in which it said it would make concessions which never materialised," the PP's representative in the Basque parliament, Alfonso Alonso, told national radio late on Thursday. No government representative was immediately available for comment on Friday. ETA declared a ceasefire in 2011, but did not disarm. The group, formed in 1959 during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, has been severely weakened in recent years after authorities arrested hundreds of its members and seized several of its weapons stashes. (Reuters)

Basque militant separatists ETA say they have disarmed: BBC

More than 300 African migrants jumped the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Monday morning, the second mass push since Friday, the emergency services said.

Eleven people were hospitalised after the jump over the 6-metre, barbed-wire fencing surrounding the North African enclave, the Red Cross said.

On Friday, about 500 migrants crossed the same fenced border, often used as an entry point into Europe for African migrants who attempt to climb it or swim around it along the coast.

Both Spain&#39;s two North Afican enclaves, Ceuta on Morocco&#39;s northern point off the Strait of Gibraltar, and Melilla, which lies further to the east and closer to the Algerian border, are often the focus of attempted illegal border crossings.

More than 1,100 migrants attempted to cross into Ceuta in January, but most were turned back.

(Reuters)

On Friday, about 500 migrants crossed the same fenced border, often used as an entry point into Europe for African migrants

More than 300 African migrants jumped the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Monday morning, the second mass push since Friday, the emergency services said. Eleven people were hospitalised after the jump over the 6-metre, barbed-wire fencing surrounding the North African enclave, the Red Cross said. On Friday, about 500 migrants crossed the same fenced border, often used as an entry point into Europe for African migrants who attempt to climb it or swim around it along the coast. Both Spain's two North Afican enclaves, Ceuta on Morocco's northern point off the Strait of Gibraltar, and Melilla, which lies further to the east and closer to the Algerian border, are often the focus of attempted illegal border crossings. More than 1,100 migrants attempted to cross into Ceuta in January, but most were turned back. (Reuters)

Over 300 African migrants cross into Spain in second wave in 3 days

Tens of thousands of people marched through Barcelona on Saturday urging the Spanish government to immediately meet its pledge to take in thousands of refugees.

Ada Colau, the mayor of Spain&#39;s second city, had called on Barcelona residents to &quot;fill the streets&quot; and march under the slogan volem acollir (&quot;We want to welcome them&quot; in Catalan). &nbsp;&nbsp;

Local police said some 160,000 people had heeded her call.

Many of those flooding the major Via Laietana thoroughfare carried signs reading &quot;Enough excuses, welcome them now&quot;.

The protest comes after Spain pledged to take in some 16,000 asylum seekers from other European Union countries under a quota system agreed in 2015 as the continent struggled with its biggest migration crisis since World War II.

Like other EU members, Spain has fallen far short of this target, with only 1,100 resettled in the country so far.&nbsp;

Jacint Comelles, a 62-year-old potter who joined the protest with friends and family, said not enough was being done to help people who have fled conflict hoping to start a new life in Europe.

&quot;We demand this minimum amount of dignity -- that at least this number of refugees (16,000)&nbsp;can come,&quot; he said. &quot;In Catalonia, everything is ready to welcome them.&quot;

The protest, organised by a group calling itself Castra Nostra Casa Vostra (Our home is your home), finished at the Mediterranean coast -- a symbolic location given the more than 5,000 migrants who lost their lives trying to cross the sea last year.

Senior Barcelona lawmaker Merce Conesa on Wednesday said it was &quot;shameful&quot; that Spain had not taken in more refugees, and urged the European Commission to begin &quot;severely sanctioning&quot; countries that did not meet their pledges on the issue.

Barcelona, capital of the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia, put forward a plan in August 2015 for resettling refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea.

(AFP)

The protest comes after Spain pledged to take in some 16,000 asylum seekers from other EU countries under a quota system agreed in 2015

Tens of thousands of people marched through Barcelona on Saturday urging the Spanish government to immediately meet its pledge to take in thousands of refugees. Ada Colau, the mayor of Spain's second city, had called on Barcelona residents to "fill the streets" and march under the slogan volem acollir ("We want to welcome them" in Catalan). Local police said some 160,000 people had heeded her call. Many of those flooding the major Via Laietana thoroughfare carried signs reading "Enough excuses, welcome them now". The protest comes after Spain pledged to take in some 16,000 asylum seekers from other European Union countries under a quota system agreed in 2015 as the continent struggled with its biggest migration crisis since World War II. Like other EU members, Spain has fallen far short of this target, with only 1,100 resettled in the country so far. Jacint Comelles, a 62-year-old potter who joined the protest with friends and family, said not enough was being done to help people who have fled conflict hoping to start a new life in Europe. "We demand this minimum amount of dignity -- that at least this number of refugees (16,000) can come," he said. "In Catalonia, everything is ready to welcome them." The protest, organised by a group calling itself Castra Nostra Casa Vostra (Our home is your home), finished at the Mediterranean coast -- a symbolic location given the more than 5,000 migrants who lost their lives trying to cross the sea last year. Senior Barcelona lawmaker Merce Conesa on Wednesday said it was "shameful" that Spain had not taken in more refugees, and urged the European Commission to begin "severely sanctioning" countries that did not meet their pledges on the issue. Barcelona, capital of the wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia, put forward a plan in August 2015 for resettling refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea. (AFP)

160,000 march in pro-refugee protest in Barcelona

The Supreme Court will today hear a petition filed by advocate Harvinder Choudhry seeking a ban on jokes against the Sikh community.

Choudhary had earlier contended that such jokes portray the Sikh community in a&nbsp;negative light and wants such websites, which disseminate such `insensitive` jokes, to be prosecuted under laws that carry a prison term of six months to five years.

The petitioner argued that such jokes on many social network websites portray Sikhs as &#39;unintelligent&#39;, &#39;foolish&#39; and &#39;na&iuml;ve&#39;, making them an easy target of ridicule and racial abuse.

Choudhary, herself belonging to a Sikh family, said that she too had been a target of ridicule and abuse because of such jokes.

The apex court has asked an expert panel headed by former apex court judge HS Bedi to submit draft guidelines so that appropriate orders can be passed to prevent circulation of Sardar jokes on websites.

In July, a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud gave six weeks time for the panel to hold discussions and submit the guidelines.

The bench passed the order after hearing the counsel for various parties including the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) which said that the community is being bullied by such jokes.

(ANI)&nbsp;

Three people were arrested in Spain and two in Hungary, with suspected links to Islamic State terrorists

The Supreme Court will today hear a petition filed by advocate Harvinder Choudhry seeking a ban on jokes against the Sikh community. Choudhary had earlier contended that such jokes portray the Sikh community in a negative light and wants such websites, which disseminate such `insensitive` jokes, to be prosecuted under laws that carry a prison term of six months to five years. The petitioner argued that such jokes on many social network websites portray Sikhs as 'unintelligent', 'foolish' and 'naïve', making them an easy target of ridicule and racial abuse. Choudhary, herself belonging to a Sikh family, said that she too had been a target of ridicule and abuse because of such jokes. The apex court has asked an expert panel headed by former apex court judge HS Bedi to submit draft guidelines so that appropriate orders can be passed to prevent circulation of Sardar jokes on websites. In July, a bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud gave six weeks time for the panel to hold discussions and submit the guidelines. The bench passed the order after hearing the counsel for various parties including the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) which said that the community is being bullied by such jokes. (ANI)

Spain, Hungary arrest suspected Islamic State terrorists

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique believes his side remains the team to beat in Spain but admits that victory over leaders Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday is paramount to their title chances.

With millions watching around the world Madrid travel into enemy territory in Catalonia on the back of a 32-game unbeaten run and boast a six-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

However, despite describing Barca&#39;s last league performance in a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad as the worst of his three-season tenure, Enrique insists the reigning champions have the talent to be considered the best team in the world.

&quot;There are good teams at a high level but none of them are better than us. That is what makes me optimistic,&quot; he said on Friday.

Barca received a huge injury boost on Friday when captain Andres Iniesta was cleared to make his return after six weeks out with a knee injury.

&quot;Iniesta is our captain and a reference point for Barca&#39;s style,&quot; said Enrique.

&quot;It is great news for the person that he is and what he represents as captain.&quot;

Defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba also look set to shrug off injuries to start and Enrique may be able to name his strongest side for the first time since September.

Injuries have been a key factor in the Catalans&#39; worst league start for nine years, but midfielder Arda Turan also claimed they remain the world&#39;s best once they hit top form.

&quot;Barca are the best team and when we play like we know how, we are unstoppable,&quot; the Turkish international told Barca TV.

&quot;I have a very good feeling ahead of the Clasico.&quot;

Madrid high in confidence

Madrid, under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane, might be in red-hot form but the former midfield general wants to see his side perform more like they did in swatting aside Atletico Madrid 3-0 two weeks ago than on their last trip to the Camp Nou -- when they registered a shock 2-1 win in April.

&quot;Tomorrow will be totally different,&quot; said the Frenchman.

&quot;Last term we went there with our buttocks clenched, I apologise for the language, but we need to have the same mentality.

&quot;I want us to be just as prepared as we were last year, but play like we are now.&quot;

Real are not so lucky on the injury front as Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos remain sidelined.

However, the visitors can rely on an on-form Cristiano Ronaldo fresh from scoring five times in his last two outings.

&quot;He is very important for the rest of the team because he has tremendous energy,&quot; Zidane added.

&quot;He still has the hunger to win and that is good for the group.&quot;

The biggest match in club football, which kicks off at 15:15 GMT, is expected to capture an audience of 650 million people worldwide, according to figures released by La Liga.

&quot;I am not going to say it is just another game, it is a very important match, it has a special meaning.... a special taste,&quot; Real president Florentino Perez told AFP.

&quot;No one hides that is has a worldwide impact, it is seen by millions of people across the world, like the World cup final.&quot;

Barca defender Javier Mascherano also made little attempt to play down the significance of the clash.

&quot;Despite there being just three points at stake, like in the rest of the matches, the attention before and after the game makes it a special match,&quot; the Argentine told Barca TV.

(AFP)

Barca received an injury boost on Friday when captain Andres Iniesta was cleared to make his return after six weeks out with a knee injury.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique believes his side remains the team to beat in Spain but admits that victory over leaders Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday is paramount to their title chances. With millions watching around the world Madrid travel into enemy territory in Catalonia on the back of a 32-game unbeaten run and boast a six-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga. However, despite describing Barca's last league performance in a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad as the worst of his three-season tenure, Enrique insists the reigning champions have the talent to be considered the best team in the world. "There are good teams at a high level but none of them are better than us. That is what makes me optimistic," he said on Friday. Barca received a huge injury boost on Friday when captain Andres Iniesta was cleared to make his return after six weeks out with a knee injury. "Iniesta is our captain and a reference point for Barca's style," said Enrique. "It is great news for the person that he is and what he represents as captain." Defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba also look set to shrug off injuries to start and Enrique may be able to name his strongest side for the first time since September. Injuries have been a key factor in the Catalans' worst league start for nine years, but midfielder Arda Turan also claimed they remain the world's best once they hit top form. "Barca are the best team and when we play like we know how, we are unstoppable," the Turkish international told Barca TV. "I have a very good feeling ahead of the Clasico." Madrid high in confidence Madrid, under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane, might be in red-hot form but the former midfield general wants to see his side perform more like they did in swatting aside Atletico Madrid 3-0 two weeks ago than on their last trip to the Camp Nou -- when they registered a shock 2-1 win in April. "Tomorrow will be totally different," said the Frenchman. "Last term we went there with our buttocks clenched, I apologise for the language, but we need to have the same mentality. "I want us to be just as prepared as we were last year, but play like we are now." Real are not so lucky on the injury front as Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos remain sidelined. However, the visitors can rely on an on-form Cristiano Ronaldo fresh from scoring five times in his last two outings. "He is very important for the rest of the team because he has tremendous energy," Zidane added. "He still has the hunger to win and that is good for the group." The biggest match in club football, which kicks off at 15:15 GMT, is expected to capture an audience of 650 million people worldwide, according to figures released by La Liga. "I am not going to say it is just another game, it is a very important match, it has a special meaning.... a special taste," Real president Florentino Perez told AFP. "No one hides that is has a worldwide impact, it is seen by millions of people across the world, like the World cup final." Barca defender Javier Mascherano also made little attempt to play down the significance of the clash. "Despite there being just three points at stake, like in the rest of the matches, the attention before and after the game makes it a special match," the Argentine told Barca TV. (AFP)

Desperate Barca primed to end Madrid's unbeaten streak

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