Catalonia voters head to the polls today to decide whether to return their separatist politicians to power or install a pro-unity government.
The outcome could be a hung parliament, where no single party has a majority.
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.
According to Spain's El Pais newpaper, the “cliffhanger” election is “likely to be followed by a period of intense political jockeying”. The BBC agrees, saying there seems “little prospect that the election will solve the region's political crisis”.
According to The Local, the risk is that “no one will come forward to support a winner, opening the way to lengthy negotiations, followed by deadlock”.
Quartz Media says a stalemate could mean continuing turmoil. Some analysts are betting on another election early next year.
Two leaders are vying to become Catalonia’s next president: Carles Puigdemont, who is fighting the race from Brussels where he fled following the independence vote, and Oriol Junqueras, his former vice president, who remained in Spain and has spent six weeks in prison.
-
President Trump: ‘waging war’ on ChicagoTalking Point Federal agents are carrying out ‘increasingly aggressive’ immigration raids – but have sanctuary cities like Chicago brought it on themselves?
-
Sudoku medium: October 18, 2025The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Sudoku hard: October 18, 2025The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Israel and the Gaza flotillaThe Explainer Activists fear loss of life after blaming Israel for drone attacks on ships
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN 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 citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe 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
