Now playing Next state of the union UK MEPs sit for last time in Strasbourg as Catalan duo make debut There were mixed feelings among British MEPs this week as they sat in Strasbourg for the final time before Brexit. But there was delight among Catalan separatists after Carles Puigdemont and Toni Comin were finally allowed to take their seats. 17/01/2020
Now playing Next Spain EU parliament launches process to lift Puigdemont's MEP immunity The decision could take several months. 16/01/2020
Now playing Next Spain Could Puigdemont be arrested during his Spain visit? The self-exiled Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont would like to return to Spain for the first time, but it might cost him his freedom. 16/01/2020
Now playing Next Europe News The Brief: what are the next legal steps in the Catalan conundrum? Announcements and parliamentary procedure will follow Spain's request to lift immunity. 14/01/2020
Now playing Next Spain Catalan separatist leaders take up MEP seats in blow to Madrid Catalan separatist leaders Carles Puigdemont and Antoni Comin vowed to push their secessionist cause onto Europe’s agenda as they took up their seats in Strasbourg, despite facing an arrest warrant in Spain. 14/01/2020
Now playing Next Europe News Catalan MEPs take their seats in Strasbourg Now fully accredited MEPS, they are here to attend the first plenary of the year. After expressing his joy, Carles Puigdemont told the press the Catalan independence question was a European issue. 13/01/2020
Now playing Next Belgium EU parliament accredits Catalan separatists EU parliament accredits Catalan separatists 07/01/2020
Now playing Next world news Catalan leaders recognised by European Parliament as MEPs The European Parliament has recognised the Catalan independentist leader, Oriol Junqueras, as an MEP. It comes despite the fact that he has been sentenced to thirteen years in prison and that the debate on his disqualification is still pending a resolution in Spain. 06/01/2020
Now playing Next Belgium Belgian judge suspends arrest warrant for Catalan leader Puigdemont A lawyer for the Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont said Belgian judicial authorities have suspended the arrest warrant against him due to his immunity as an MEP. 02/01/2020
Now playing Next Europe News The Brief: Catalan question and European Parliament immunity This week could be a crucial one for legal proceedings in the case of jailed and exiled Catalan politicians. 16/12/2019
Now playing Next Spain Euroviews. Catalonia is the EU’s canary in a coalmine when it comes to its citizens’ democratic rights ǀ View “They will not dare, right?” If I had a cent for every time a European politician, advisor or journalist asked me that regarding what is Spain ready to do to keep Catalonia inside its ranks, I would be rich by now. 06/12/2019
Now playing Next Belgium Belgian court postpones arrest warrant case for former Catalan leader It’s the third time Spain has tried to get him extradited, with two previous attempts failing when local judges rejected the argument that he had led a rebellion. 29/10/2019
Now playing Next Belgium Puigdemont walks free after handing himself to Brussels police Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont walks free after handing himself to Brussels police. Earlier this week, authorities received a third European arrest warrant from Spain. 18/10/2019
Now playing Next Europe News EU leaders to discuss climate change budget At the summit on 17 and 18 October, EU leaders will discuss how to incorporate climate change initiatives into the budget. 15/10/2019
Now playing Next World Catalan activist condemns severity of sentences for separatists as anti-democratic A Catalan activist and political commentator has condemned the sentences handed out to pro-separatist as leaders as undemocratic. Andres da Silva told Euronews' Good Morning Europe that the severity of the sentences was undemocratic and greatly worsened the situation. 15/10/2019
Now playing Next Spain Spain's top court to rule on Catalan separatists' rebellion charges The 12 defendants — including former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont currently in self-imposed exile — face up to 25 years in jail. 14/10/2019
Now playing Next World Barcelona residents use balcony flags to show stance on independence A war of flags has taken over Barcelona's balconies with both pro and anti-independence supporters using their outside spaces to make clear where they stand on Catalonia's secession debate. 08/10/2019
Now playing Next Spain Euroviews. Spain’s assault on the European Parliament’s integrity sets a dangerous precedent ǀ View The Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament decided on 3 September to submit observations to the European Court of Justice on the case of the jailed MEP from Catalonia, Oriol Junqueras. [...] The importance of the Court’s decision cannot be underestimated. 01/10/2019
Now playing Next Europe News Catalan independentists mobilize in streets of Strasbourg The demonstrators were protesting the fact that three of their elected MEPs were not allowed to go to work on Tuesday. 02/07/2019
Now playing Next World Former Catalan President must visit Madrid to activate MEP status Carles Puigdemont, former President of Catalonia, will have to travel to Madrid today if he’s to validate his status as a member of the new European Parliament. 17/06/2019