Catalonia independence crisis explained: Spain on the brink

Catalonians have staged their own referendum calling for independence from Spain. Here’s everything you need to know about the crisis.

Why do they want independence?

Catalonia is already one of Europe’s most autonomous regions. Frustration over the perceived excessive tax paid by Catalonia to Madrid has reached tipping point in a country where youth unemployment is at 38.6%.

CAN CATALONIA DECLARE INDEPENDENCE?

The regional government has passed a “law of disconnection” that allows it, under Catalan law, to break away from Spain.

However, Madrid and most countries will not recognise the announcement and Spain’s Constitutional Court will declare it illegal immediately.

HOW WILL MADRID RESPOND?

It could impose direct rule and call new regional elections, arrest Catalan leaders for sedition and start negotiations with Barcelona.

What’s King Felipe doing?

Spain’s monarch has addressed the nation but failed to acknowledge the hundreds of voters hurt by police during the illegal referendum.

There is considerable support for the king’s criticism of how the Catalan authorities have flouted Spanish law.

IS THERE A WAY OUT OF THIS?

The opposing sides need to sit down and talk, quickly.

Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, could offer to rewrite the constitution to allow for a binding referendum.

His government could give Catalonia a better deal on finances, long a sore point among those who say that their region pays more than its fair share of taxes to Madrid.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont is depending on the far-left Popular Unity Candidacy - and it is demanding independence by next week, whatever the consequences.