CATALONIA
The standoff over Catalan independence has entered a new phase of
political fragility, economic uncertainty and social unrest. On Oct. 27,
the Catalan parliament approved to unilaterally declare independence
from Spain. Shortly after, the Spanish Senate authorized a series of
measures against the rebellious region, dismissing members of the
Catalan government and seizing several Catalan institutions, including
the treasury, the interior ministry and the regional police. The central Spanish government in Madrid has no intention of permanently controlling Catalonia.
