Now playing Next Spain Euroviews. The trial of Catalan leaders casts a long shadow over the EU | View Leaders of the 2017 Catalan independence referendum are facing a combined total of 217 years in prison for inciting rebellion. Defending their rights is in the self-interest of Europe if it wants to remain a leading force for democracy. 07/01/2019
Now playing Next Spain Thousands of Catalan separatists rally in Barcelona Catalan separatists had earlier blocked roads and clashed with police as Spanish ministers held a cabinet meeting in the regional capital. 22/12/2018
Now playing Next Spain Catalonia's separatists: Spain's trial of the century explained Spain’s trail of the century begins tomorrow, as 18 leading Catalan separatists will face prosecution for their role in Catalonia’s unilateral declaration of independence from Madrid. 17/12/2018
Now playing Next Spain Madrid threatens Catalonia with national police The Spanish government says if Catalan regional authorities cannot prevent separatists closing major roads it will have to send in national police to end the protests 11/12/2018
Now playing Next Spain Euroviews. The spirit of Francoism lives on in Spain’s political system | View In fact, the [Spanish] Constitution - is an excellent mix of modern words and ancient – and by that I mean authoritarian and undemocratic concepts. 11/12/2018
Now playing Next Spain Euroviews. The Spanish Constitution at 40: can it unite a divided Spain? | View While many would agree that the Spanish Constitution has served its purpose in keeping a fragile democracy in tact, many more Spaniards would agree that the time has come to make changes to the 40-year-old document. Agreement on what these changes should be is a different matter altogether. 07/12/2018
Now playing Next Spain Euroviews. We can't modernise the Constitution until we overcome Spain's problems The Catalan independence movement is just one of the many obstacles facing a push to modernise the Spanish Constitution. In order to make sure it serves the needs of all Spaniards today, we have to solve our long-standing problems first. 06/12/2018
Now playing Next Spain Catalan separatist leaders go on hunger strike Jailed leaders Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Turull played a part in Catalonia's failed bid for independence last year, and have gone on hunger strike to 'raise awareness' of unfair treatment by Spain ahead of the trial. 01/12/2018
Now playing Next Spain Former Catalan leaders ordered to repay independence vote costs Spanish auditors have ordered former Catalan leader Artur Mas and nine others to repay €4.9 million of public money spent on a non-binding independence vote in 2014. 13/11/2018
Now playing Next Spain Catalan separatists demonstrate against return of Spanish police rally in Barcelona Separatists claim intimidation and provocation from police who are engaged in a pay dispute with Madrid. 10/11/2018
Now playing Next Spain Lesser charges for Catalan separatists Spain’s State Attorney dropped a call for rebellion charges to be brought against jailed Catalan independence leaders on Friday. It says it would seek lesser charges of sedition and misappropriation of funds. 03/11/2018
Now playing Next the global conversation Catalan independence & European values: Uncut with Carles Puigdemont Catalan independence and European values: Uncut with Carles Puigdemont 19/10/2018
Now playing Next no comment Police, protesters clash for Catalan referendum anniversary Riot police charged in to break up a demonstration in front of Catalonia's regional parliament and the headquarters of the Spanish national police in Barcelona on Monday, after thousands marched in Barcelona to mark the first anniversary of an ill-fated independence referendum to split from Spain. 02/10/2018
Now playing Next Spain Has the Catalan pro-independence movement lost its power one year on? On the one-year anniversary of the banned independence referendum, triggering one of the biggest institutional crises in Spain, where are its protagonists? Has the Catalan pro-independence movement lost its power? 01/10/2018
Now playing Next Spain Police clash with Catalan separatists Police clashed with Catalan independence supporters in Barcelona on Saturday. This comes almost 1 year after the region's illegal independence referendum. 29/09/2018
Now playing Next world news Catalans call for release of 'political prisoners' Catalan politicians attending national day celebrations reaffirm their support for independence and say meaningful negotiations with Madrid over the issue can only take place after jailed colleagues are freed 11/09/2018
Now playing Next Spain Yellow ribbons for imprisoned politicians cause controversy in Catalonia Symbols raise questions about role of local authorities 08/09/2018
Now playing Next Spain Spain withdraws international arrest warrants against Puigdemont Spain withdraws international arrest warrants against Puigdemont and other Catalan politicians. 19/07/2018
Now playing Next Spain Twenty-two people detained in Catalan raids Spanish authorities are investigating the alleged diversion of public funds to entities involved in the 2017 independence referendum 24/05/2018
Now playing Next Spain What does Quim Torra’s election mean for Catalonia? Catalonia’s new leader elected by the region’s parliament is described as a hardline separatist who has vowed to continue the struggle for independence from Spain. 14/05/2018