catalan

While many Catalans are outraged at the central government's crackdown on the independence movement, the huge demonstrations have obscured deep divisions in Catalan society.

Catalonia's President Carles Puigdemont failed to clarify the region's stand on independence in a letter to Spain's prime minister — a move that Madrid has threatened will end the region's autonomy.

The Spanish government, however, said the vote will not happen "because it is illegal." The region held a largely symbolic independence vote in 2014, which passed overwhelmingly, but turnout was low.