Anabel Díez

Under Article 155, Madrid says it has powers over the region’s headquarters in Brussels

Rajoy’s worst-case scenario involves appointment by video link or proxy, followed by court cancellation

ERC seeks legal advice on matter while Madrid says it will ask Constitutional Court to block move

But party says it does not have the numbers and is watching moves of secessionist bloc

Popular Party, Socialists and Ciudadanos applaud speech while Podemos questions monarch’s words

Mariano Rajoy offers dialogue with new regional government “within law” and rules out early general elections

Catalan crisis is acting as a catalyst for reform, but PM warns that broad consensus is required

Speaking after weekly Cabinet meeting, defense minister announces Spain will raise issue at EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday

Under Article 155, the government will sack all regional ministers, as well as the regional police director and chief. Central ministries in Madrid will take control of relevant departments

Spanish parties divided over option of halting emergency measures if Puigdemont calls early election

Regional premier faces choice of declaring independence or calling snap election before losing control

Mariano Rajoy says that he will call elections in Catalonia “as soon as institutional normality” returns. Regional premier Carles Puigdemont will be removed from his position

Carles Puigdemont threatens to “vote on formal independence declaration that was not voted on Oct. 10”

Carles Puigdemont has until Thursday at 10am to confirm whether or not he unilaterally declared independence

PP spokesman makes historical comparisons with 1934 declaration of Catalan statehood

But Spanish government says he must first obey the law before any talks can take place

Parliamentary groups have different views on how to deal with a unilateral declaration of independence

The PP and the PSOE are willing to discuss Catalonia’s role within Spain, but demand poll be called off

Spanish PM tells aides to remain cool in the face of one Spain’s biggest crises since end of Franco regime

Rajoy also in talks with Ciudadanos as regional leaders fail to settle on date for planned referendum

Scoring 50% of the vote, leader who walked out last year sees off challenge in primaries

Susana Díaz, Pedro Sánchez and Patxi López blame one another for PSOE’s ongoing crisis

Pedro Sánchez secures enough endorsements to become a strong candidate to win party primaries

Mainstream groups agree that defeating Marine Le Pen’s far right drive is the priority ito save EU

Deputy PM Soraya Sáenz Santamaría dismisses comparisons, citing sanctity of Spanish Constitution

Last such removal from public institutions was in April 2011 during Socialist legislature

PSOE says Rajoy should firmly criticize US president rather than saying he will act as his interlocutor