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Mariano Rajoy
Axed Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, flanked by former Catalan Health minister Antoni Comin, left, and former Catalan Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Meritxell Serret, reacts after the results of the regional elections in Catalonia in Brussels on December 21, 2017. (AFP/ JOHN THYS)
December 22, 2017, 2:27 am
Catalan separatists clinch victory to regain regional government
Pro-independence parties win enough votes to form new coalition after being sacked by Madrid, though pro-unity faction finishes first in crucial election
By AP
A man holds a 'Estelada', the pro-independence Catalan flag, as demonstrators gather outside the Catalonian Parliament to protest against the decision of a judge to jail ex-members of the Catalan government, in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, November 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
November 11, 2017, 8:32 am
Pro-independence Catalans to protest in Barcelona
Crisis in Spain causes shock waves across the EU, prompts 2,400 businesses to re-register their legal HQs elsewhere
By AP
The wife of Paul Bekaert, lawyer of Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, speaks to the press from the doorstep of their house, following the announcement of the cancelled press conference of Catalan leader, on November 1, 2017, in Tielt. (AFP PHOTO / BELGA / NICOLAS MAETERLINCK)
November 2, 2017, 9:36 am
Spanish judge to grill Catalan separatist leaders
14, including Catalonia's former leader Carles Puigdemont, to be charged with rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds
By Simon Sturdee and Laurence BOUTREUX
Pro-independence demonstrators cheer outside the Catalan parliament, in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Oct. 27, 2017.(AP Photo/ Emilio Morenatti)
October 28, 2017, 5:31 pm
Ousted Catalan leader vows to fight Spain’s takeover
Deposed on Friday after declaring independence, Carles Puigdemont asks Catalans to defend the republic proclaimed by the regional parliament
By Aritz Parra
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gives a press conference after a cabinet meeting at La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, on October 27, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO)
October 27, 2017, 10:28 pm
Madrid dissolves Catalan parliament after independence declaration
Spanish PM Rajoy calls snap regional elections as crisis escalates; EU and US stand behind Spain and reject claims of want-away region
By Mariëtte Le Roux
People gather in front of the 'Generalitat' palace (Catalan government headquarters) at the Sant Jaume square to celebrate the proclamation of a Catalan republic in Barcelona on October 27, 2017. (Lluis Gene/AFP)
October 27, 2017, 9:58 pm
Breaking neutrality, Spanish Jews come out against Catalan independence
Despite umbrella body statement, Jews living in the secessionist region appear divided over the crisis that is roiling the country
By JTA
People celebrate after Catalonia's parliament voted to declare independence from Spain in Barcelona on October 27, 2017. (Pau Barrena/AFP)
October 27, 2017, 5:51 pm
Catalan lawmakers vote to declare independence, threatening to tear Spain apart
Madrid urges calm and vows in turn to 'restore legality' and quash the region's secessionist bid
By AFP
Protesters wave pro-independence Catalan Estelada flags during a demonstration in Barcelona on October 21, 2017. (AFP Photo/ Pau Barrena)
October 27, 2017, 2:11 pm
Spain readies to impose direct rule as Catalonia fights back
Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy asks lawmakers in Madrid to fire separatist Catalan leaders, blames crisis on Catalonia's Puigdemont
By Daniel Silva and Daniel BOSQUE
Protesters wave Catalan pro-independence Estelada flags during a demonstration in Barcelona on October 21, 2017. (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene)
October 21, 2017, 9:44 pm
Huge crowds protest as Spain moves to sack Catalan government
Hundreds of thousands flood Barcelona streets in a massive show of support for regional independence
By Alfons Luna, Katy Lee and Marianne Barriaux
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gives a press conference after a crisis cabinet meeting at the Moncloa Palace on October 21, 2017 in Madrid. (AFP/Gabriel Bouys)
October 21, 2017, 3:55 pm
In unprecedented step, Spain moves to dissolve Catalan government
PM says government will seek fresh elections in the region, in attempt to prevent independence declaration; Catalonia leader to respond Saturday evening
By AFP
Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont leaves after a ceremony commemorating the 77th anniversary of the death of Catalan leader Lluis Companys at the Montjuic Cemetery in Barcelona, October 15, 2017. (AFP/PAU BARRENA)
October 16, 2017, 3:21 pm
Amid uncertainty, Spain gives Catalans 3 days to rethink independence
Separatist leader Puigdemont calls for dialogue with central government; Madrid first wants clear statement the territory is backing off secession
By Marianne Barriaux and Patrick Galey
Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont signs an independence declaration document after a parliamentary session in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
October 16, 2017, 8:59 am
Independence decision looms for Catalonia leader
Carles Puigdemont caught between Spanish pressure to back down, broad separatist support urging him to secede
By AFP
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy speaks at the Spanish Parliament in Madrid on October 11, 2017. (AFP Photo/Javier Soriano)
October 11, 2017, 9:31 pm
Spanish PM gives Catalonia 5 days to clarify independence stance
Mariano Rajoy says region's secession bid a 'fairy tale,' as EU countries voice support for Spain's territorial integrity, constitution
By AFP
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy speaks during a press conference at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul White)
October 11, 2017, 3:14 pm
Spain’s PM threatens to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy
Madrid vows to examine 'all options' in dealing with crisis, after Barcelona leaders say they are putting region's independence declaration on hold to allow talks
By AFP
Catalan regional government president Carles Puigdemont gives a speech at the Catalan regional parliament in Barcelona on October 10, 2017. (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene)
October 10, 2017, 10:09 pm
Catalan leader suspends independence declaration to allow ‘dialogue’
While stopping short of declaring outright secession, Carlos Puigdemont says he has 'mandate of the people' to secede from Spain
By Daniel BOSQUE and Patrick Galey
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