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People gather for the final major independence rally ahead of Sunday's ballot

Separatists occupy schools in Catalonia

Pro-separatist Catalans have occupied several schools in Barcelona designated as a polling stations in a contested independence referendum, in a bid to ensure the vote goes ahead.

Catalan referendum • 30 Sep 17

Opinion polls show Catalans are split on the issue of independence

Thousands protest in Catalonia over banned referendum

At least 10,000 striking high school and university students rallied in Barcelona this afternoon to defend Catalonia's right to hold an independence referendum which has been banned by Madrid.

World • 28 Sep 17

The referendum will pose the question 'Do you want Catalonia to be an independent republic?'

Criminal charges sought over Catalan referendum vote

Spain's state prosecutors office said it would present criminal charges against members of the Catalan parliament for voting yesterday to hold an independence referendum, which the Spanish government says is illegal.

News • 07 Sep 17

Bus crashed in heavy rain on ring road in Barcelona

Two Irish among 24 injured in Barcelona bus crash

Two Irish tourists were among 24 people injured when a coach crashed in Barcelona on its way to the airport, local government officials said.

News • 14 Sep 16

Carles Puigdemont was elected regional president of Catalonia after months of tense negotiations between Catalan parties

Catalan independence back on track

Catalonia's parliament swore in a new separatist leader this evening, putting the pro-independence movement's commitment to break with Spain over the next 18 months back on track after a long political deadlock.

News • 10 Jan 16

Anti-independence Catalans demonstrate for the Spanish unity in Barcelona last year

Majority of Catalans oppose independence - poll

A majority of people in Catalonia would vote to stay part of Spain, a poll by the regional government found today, the first in years to show a majority against independence.

News • 19 Dec 14

There were long queues outside many polling stations

Catalan leader seeks support for independence

Catalan leader Artur Mas has urged the world to help him persuade Spain to allow an independence referendum, after more than two million people took part in a symbolic ballot.

News • 10 Nov 14

The ballot papers will put two questions to voters

Catalonia holding independence vote

One of Spain's biggest and richest regions, Catalonia, is holding a much-disputed symbolic vote on whether it should break away as an independent state.

News • 09 Nov 14

Artur Mas said the referendum would not go ahead but a "consultation of citizens" will take place instead

Catalan referendum for independence 'called off'

Catalonia has dropped plans to hold a referendum on independence from Spain next month but will instead hold a "consultation of citizens", the region's head announced today.

News • 14 Oct 14

Demonstrators wave Catalan flags during an independence demonstration

Catalonia to decide on referendum by 15 October

The Catalan government has said it will decide by 15 October whether to push ahead with a controversial referendum on separation from the rest of Spain called for 9 November.

News • 06 Oct 14

Pro-independence Catalans hold placards representing a ballot box and the date of the vote '9N'

Spanish court suspends Catalonian vote

Spain's constitutional court has suspended a Catalonian independence referendum while it considers a request from the central government to declare the vote unconstitutional.

News • 29 Sep 14

Catalan regional government head Artur Mas claims a referendum can be held legally

Spain dismisses referendum on Catalan independence

The Spanish government has poured cold water on proposals by separatist parties in the Catalonia region to hold a referendum on the region’s independence on November 9 2014.

News • 12 Dec 13

Catalan President Artur Mas said he would still try to hold a referendum

Catalan separatists win Spain election

Separatists in Spain's Catalonia won regional elections yesterday but failed to get a resounding mandate for a referendum on independence.

News • 26 Nov 12

A man casts his ballot for regional elections in Barcelona

Exit poll shows CiU in lead in Catalonia election

The ruling Convergence and Union alliance, or CiU, is expected to get the most votes in regional elections in Spain's Catalonia on Sunday, according to an exit poll by TV3, Catalan public television.

News • 25 Nov 12

Spanish regions rebel against deficit targets

A growing number of Spain's regions are rebelling against government attempts to rein in their spending.

Business • 01 Aug 12

A firefighter tries to extinguish a wildfire in Ller, close to the Spanish-French border

Four killed in Spanish forest fires

A fourth person has died as two major forest fires continue to rage in the border area between France and northern Catalonia in Spain.

News • 23 Jul 12

Catalonia