Mariano Rajoy

Spanish Prime Minister, and Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) candidate for prime minister, Pedro Sanchez casts his ballot at a polling station in Madrid, during general elections in Spain on April 28, 2019. (JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

April 28, 2019, 11:35 pm

Far-right seen making gains as Spaniards turn out for election

Outcome of national poll uncertain, as no party expected to be able to form solid coalition, but populist Vox may take 10% of vote or more

By Daniel Silva and Marianne Barriaux

Spain's socialist opposition leader Pedro Sanchez sits at the start of the second day of a motion of no-confidence session at the Spanish parliament in Madrid on June 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

June 1, 2018, 2:59 pm

Spain’s conservative government falls, Socialist opposition leader takes power

After Mariano Rajoy loses no-confidence motion over kickbacks-for-contracts scheme, Pedro Sanchez set to replace him

By Aritz Parra

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