Any other result – another separatist victory, or a messy split that fails to provide a working majority – will keep the crisis bubbling. As well as sacking the regional president, Carles Puigdemont, and his pro-independence government, Rajoy called snap elections to be held on 21 December. Opposition parties will be looking to capitalise on the frustrations of the roughly 50% of Catalans opposed to independence. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Spanish police prevent people from entering a polling station in Barcelona during the 1 October vote. The only certainty is that whoever wins on Thursday will face two daunting tasks: mend the divisions between Catalans and make peace with Madrid.

Source: The Guardian December 20, 2017 12:59 UTC