Catalonia

Mariano Rajoy said that the new Catalan parliament should hold its maiden session on January 17, the first step in reinstating local government after Madrid fired the old regional administration for illegally declaring independence

The Spanish government moved to impose direct rule over Catalonia and convened regional elections on December 21

The protesters demanded the release of Carles Puigdemont and the recognition of their autonomy

United States, Britain, France, and Germany also swiftly dismissed the declaration and expressed support for Rajoy’s efforts to keep Spain united

The Spanish government moved to impose direct rule over Catalonia less than an hour after its parliament declared independence

The measures must now be approved by Spain’s upper house, the Senate, where a vote is scheduled for October 27

Mexican Chancellor Luis Videgaray stated that should Catalonia declare its independence unilaterally, Mexico will not recognize the Catalan State pursuant to International Law

The people of Catalonia had been tricked into taking part in the banned vote, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said

Catalan leaders are determined to hold the vote on October 1, defying the central Madrid government and a Constitutional Court ban and saying that the regional assembly in Barcelona will declare independence within 48 hours of a “yes” victory

Catalonian leaders appealed to the Spanish government for dialogue to avert an impending political crisis as Madrid took measures to stop state cash being used to fund a referendum on splitting from Spain