The politically charged trial, which is expected to last at least three months, comes at a pivotal time for Spain’s government. A snap national election is likely unless Catalan nationalist lawmakers change tack by ending their opposition to the 2019 budget in a vote on Wednesday. Meanwhile, seven other politicians involved in the independence declaration - including former leader Carles Puigdemont - are in self-imposed exile abroad. In Berlin on Tuesday, Puigdemont said the trial marked a stress test for Spain’s democracy and reiterated a call for another independence referendum. After imposing direct rule on Catalonia in response to the independence declaration, the then conservative government called regional elections.

Source: bd News24 February 12, 2019 15:56 UTC