Catalonia independence: Spanish PM calls for end to ‘radicalism’
Protests spread following crackdown over Catalonian independence vote

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has used a televised address to urge Catalan separatists to stop the region’s banned independence referendum from going ahead on 1 October.
“I call on them to end their illegal actions, to abandon their plans, they know this referendum cannot be held,” Rajoy said. “Stop this escalation of radicalism and disobedience once and for all.”
His comments came after thousands of people took to the streets in Barcelona to protest against Madrid’s efforts to halt the referendum, which the Spanish government has deemed illegal.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Spanish Guardia Civil officers raided a dozen Catalan regional government offices and arrested 14 senior officials on Wednesday as part of an operation to stop the referendum from taking place,” The Guardian says. They included Josep Maria Jove, Catalonia's deputy vice president.
The president, Carles Puigdemont, “accused the central government of effectively suspending devolution after it moved to seize control of regional finances to stop them being used to fund the referendum”, reports the BBC.
“We believe that the Spanish government has crossed the red line that separated it from repressive authoritarian regimes and has become a democratic shame,” he said.
If the referendum does go ahead on 1 October, it remains unlikely that Spain’s largest economic region would back a breakaway.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
“Just 35% said Catalonia should be independent in a July survey by the Catalan government’s polling agency,” says Bloomberg.
-
Nepal chooses toddler as its new ‘living goddess’
Under the Radar Girls between two and four are typically chosen to live inside the temple as the Kumari – until puberty strikes
-
October 5 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include half-truth hucksters, Capitol lockdown, and more
-
Jaguar Land Rover’s cyber bailout
Talking Point Should the government do more to protect business from the ‘cyber shockwave’?
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Israel and the Gaza flotilla
The Explainer Activists fear loss of life after blaming Israel for drone attacks on ships
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Rise of the far-right: what’s behind the popularity of Vox in Spain?
The Explainer Disillusioned younger voters are being drawn to Santiago Abascal’s party
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come