Politics

A timeline on the main causes of the current situation

Thousands stay overnight at polling stations to guarantee that they are not sealed off by police

Citizens occupy schools to prevent them from being sealed off ahead of Sunday’s referendum on independence

Leaders and members of five different parties ask for a “politically negotiated solution” in Catalonia

The report denounces how “the Spanish government has violated fundamental rights”

Spanish spokesman says "blow" to counting mechanism shows the vote "has been cancelled by the Rule of Law"

"It's not an issue of legality, but of democracy, freedom and legitimacy," says US expert H. Rosi Song

More than 70 American academics also asked Spain to “cease political repression in Catalonia”

Yes supporters gather thousands at Barcelona’s magic fountain, while opposition leading party holds an event to reject the ‘coup to democracy’

Equivalent Catalan body responds that executive to be exclusively responsible for any irregularities in handling of personal data on voting day

EPP and S&D groups veto proposal from Greens to discuss October 1 vote so as not “to legitimize an illegal referendum”

Diplocat invites group of 33 international MPs and MEPs from 17 countries and a range of political parties to witness October 1 vote

“If one day Finland has a security problem and needs the solidarity of its EU partners, it could go look for that solidarity to Catalonia,” says the diplomat

5.3 million Catalans are called to vote on Sunday at 2,315 polling stations

Catalan and Spanish authorities meet to discuss policing of Sunday’s referendum, stressing social harmony and compliance with the law