Now playing Next Spain Spain's PM says direct rule of Catalonia is the 'only reponse' to its bid for independence Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says imposing direct rule on Catalonia is the 'only response' to its push for independence. 25/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Catalan president considers calls for a snap election Carles Puidgemont is being urged to hold a regional election in a bid to thwart Madrid's planned power grip 24/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Catalan leader could face Spanish Senate Catalan President Carles Puidgemont may appear before the Spanish Senate to argue case for Catalonia independence 23/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Back from the brink?: Catalonia debates direct rule from Madrid The Catalonian Parliament will meet later this week to consider its response to the Spanish government's decision to claw back the region's autonomy. 23/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Explained: What do Madrid’s measures mean for Catalonia? The new measures are the latest move by Madrid aimed at thwarting efforts by Catalonia to break away 23/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Anxiety rises in Catalonia as Spain's political crisis deepens Anxiety rises in Catalonia as Spain's political crisis deepens 22/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Catalonia leader denounces 'worst attack' since Franco Pro-independence regional government chief Carles Puigdemont says Catalonia won't accept Madrid's moves to impose direct rule 22/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Puigdemont says Catalonia 'will not accept' Spain's plan The speech followed the Spanish prime minister's announcement that he will sack the region's government and call elections 21/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Rajoy says he will sack Catalan government, call regional elections The Spanish prime minister also said he would curb the powers of Catalonia's parliament 21/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Madrid poised to activate emergency rule in Catalonia The conservative government is backed by the main opposition Socialists in making the unprecedented move 21/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain EU Parliament President defends Spanish unity Antonio Tajani had stinging words for Catalan separatists, denouncing those "sowing discord by deliberately ignoring laws" 20/10/2017
Now playing Next world news Mariano Rajoy calls Catalonia crisis "unacceptable" during press conference Rajoy blames Catalonia's leaders for the crisis in the region 20/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Spanish government aims for January regional elections in Catalonia - PSOE 20/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Spain: Politicians take sides over Catalonia crisis Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is set to suspend Catalonia's autonomy over its independence moves 20/10/2017
Now playing Next Europe News Catalonia: 'No room' for EU mediation EU makes position clear on Catalonia as tensions escalate 19/10/2017
Now playing Next Europe News Catalonia threatens to overshadow EU summit Spanish PM arrives in Brussels amid escalating tensions at home 19/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Brinksmanship deepens crisis between Catalonia and Madrid Madrid accuses Catalonia's leader of talking loud and saying nothing in letter calling for talks, but threatening a unilateral independence declaration. 19/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Catalonia crisis - ultimatum day The stage is set for a Catalonia - Spain showdown as Madrid's ultimatum for an independence retraction ends 19/10/2017