Now playing Next Spain Spanish PM Rajoy fires government of Catalonia, calls snap elections Spanish PM Rajoy fires government of Catalonia 27/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain [In pictures] Historic day as Catalonia declares independence before Spain's crackdown 27/10/2017
Now playing Next No Comment Catalan lawmakers burst into song after independence declaration Independence supporters belt out "Els Segadors" in Catalan parliament. 27/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Catalonia's controversial declaration The semi-autonomous region has declared independence, in direct defiance of the government in Madrid which is preparing to impose direct rule over the region 27/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Puigdemont calls on Catalans to "maintain the pulse of our country" Puigdemont tells Catalans the future is "in our and your hands" after parliament votes for independence. 27/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Spanish Senate votes today on Article 155 Spanish government is set to impose direct rule over Catalonia as crisis spirals 27/10/2017
Now playing Next World News Catalonia: what direct rule from Madrid could mean Spain's parliament has given the green light for Madrid to take over the region after the Catalan parliament declared independence. 27/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Decision day for Catalonia in independence crisis The rebel region's parliament may choose to unilaterally declare a split from Spain 27/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain Spain's Deputy Prime Minister urges Catalonia to give dialogue a chance Spain's Deputy Prime Minister, Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, urges Catalan leader to give dialogue a chance before the Spanish Senate approves Catalonia's take-over 26/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain What on earth is going on in Catalonia? Amid the tense stand-off between Barcelona and Madrid, the regional government has refused to call early elections. 26/10/2017
Now playing Next Spain A crucial few days for Catalonia Reports now claim leader Carles Puigdemont is not going to Madrid for last-ditch talks 25/10/2017
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