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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Catalonia crisis in 300 words | Catalonia crisis in 300 words |
| (6 days later) | |
| The ongoing stand-off between Catalonia and the Spanish government in Madrid is complicated. Let's break it down. | The ongoing stand-off between Catalonia and the Spanish government in Madrid is complicated. Let's break it down. |
| What is Catalonia? | What is Catalonia? |
| Catalonia is a region in north-east Spain. It has its own language, parliament, flag and anthem. It also has its own police force and controls some of its own public services, such as schools and healthcare. | Catalonia is a region in north-east Spain. It has its own language, parliament, flag and anthem. It also has its own police force and controls some of its own public services, such as schools and healthcare. |
| It is one of Spain's wealthiest and most productive regions and has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years. | It is one of Spain's wealthiest and most productive regions and has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years. |
| Why the controversy? | Why the controversy? |
| The Catalan parliament approved an independence referendum which went ahead on 1 October despite being suspended by Spain's Constitutional Court. | The Catalan parliament approved an independence referendum which went ahead on 1 October despite being suspended by Spain's Constitutional Court. |
| There were clashes when Spanish national police tried to prevent people attending polling stations. | There were clashes when Spanish national police tried to prevent people attending polling stations. |
| Catalan authorities say just under 90% of voters backed independence, although turnout was only 43%. | Catalan authorities say just under 90% of voters backed independence, although turnout was only 43%. |
| What have both sides said? | What have both sides said? |
| Catalan leaders declared an independent republic but immediately suspended its implementation. | Catalan leaders declared an independent republic but immediately suspended its implementation. |
| Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded with plans to remove Catalonia's leaders and hold regional elections as soon as possible. | Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy responded with plans to remove Catalonia's leaders and hold regional elections as soon as possible. |
| What happens next? | What happens next? |
| Mr Rajoy has sent his list of proposed measures to Spain's Senate for a vote on 27 October. | |
| He said his measures would not dissolve the parliament of the region or suspend Catalonia's autonomy. | |
| Catalan President Carles Puigdemont says parliament will respond to "the worst attack" on Catalonia since the dictatorship of Gen Franco. | |
| Why does the crisis matter? | Why does the crisis matter? |
| There is no suggestion that this could degenerate into armed conflict but it could damage the region and Spain as a whole economically, bringing new instability to the eurozone. | There is no suggestion that this could degenerate into armed conflict but it could damage the region and Spain as a whole economically, bringing new instability to the eurozone. |
| It could also set an example for other countries with secessionist movements in Europe. | It could also set an example for other countries with secessionist movements in Europe. |
| Want to know more? | Want to know more? |