Now playing Next Spain Spain asks Catalan's leader to 'act sensibly' as the direct rule deadline looms The Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has urged Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to "act sensibly" ahead of Thursday's direct rule deadline 18/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Catalans accuse Madrid of taking 'political prisoners' Madrid's jailing of two separatist leaders provokes huge demonstrations in Barcelona 18/10/2017
Now playing Next World News 200,000 protest in Barcelona People chanted 'independence', while demanding the release of two Catalan leaders who were imprisoned for sedition 17/10/2017
Now playing Next Unreported Europe Catalonia crisis: Five days that shook Spain 'Insiders' spent five days filming with leading Catalan separatists and Spanish unity grassroots movements. 17/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Catalonia remains on collision course with Madrid over independence Spain threatens to put Catalonia under direct central rule if region doesn't abandon independence drive by Thursday 17/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Two Catalan separatists are jailed Madrid hardens its stance towards Catalonia and jails two separatists pending sedition investigation 17/10/2017
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Now playing Next Spain Puigdemont fails to clarify Catalan independence confusion Catalan leader calls for dialogue in response to the Spanish prime minister's deadline, under threat of the region's autonomy being suspended. 16/10/2017
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Now playing Next Spain An ultimatum for Catalonia The Spanish government will take control of Catalonia if regional leader Carles Puigdemont replies ambiguously to Madrid's question about whether he has declared independence from Spain. 14/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Clock ticking for Puigdemont over Catalan independence Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is coming under pressure to declare full independence. 13/10/2017
Now playing Next Europe News The EU can't mediate in Spain if only one side asks for it, says Juncker The EU Commission president said he doesn't want Catalonia to become independent 13/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Is Catalonia looking to copy Slovenia’s path to independence? Separatist Catalans hope Carles Puigdemont will follow the Slovenian independence model 12/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Madrid waits for answer from Catalonia The clock is ticking as Madrid waits for Catalan leaders to clarify its independence bid by a five-day deadline 12/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Rajoy rejects dialogue with Catalan government, opens door to constitutional reform Rajoy's speech followed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont's suspended declaration of independence 11/10/2017