Factbox: Tensions talks courts
Carles Puigdemont
Catalan regional police officers walk through a street covered with ballots for the banned independence referendum thrown by people outside People ' s Party ( PP ) regional headquarters during a protest in Barcelona   Spain   October 3   2017 . REUTERS / Jon Nazca MADRID ( Reuters ) - Leaders of Spain ’ s industrialised northeastern region of Catalonia said the regional population had voted for independence in a ballot on Sunday that the central government said was illegal and non - representative . With 95 percent of the vote counted   authorities said the “ Yes ” vote stood at 90 . 1 percent   albeit with a turnout of just a little over 40 percent - 2 . 26 million out of 5 . 34 million registered voters . On Tuesday   Barcelona metro stations were closed   pickets blocked main roads and civil servants walked out in response to a strike called by pro - independence groups . The stand - off could now take three different paths . TENSIONS ESCALATE  Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont  continues with  his  pledge to declare unilateral independence   likely prompting the central government to trigger Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution   which would strip the region of  its  autonomous status and put  it  under direct Madrid rule . If Article 155 is triggered   the next step would be snap elections in Catalonia . Pro - independence parties only hold the majority in the regional parliament with the help of the far - left group CUP   and polls   before Sunday ’ s ballot   suggest these groups could lose their hold on power if a new election was called . However   after events on Sunday   when police swung truncheons and fired rubber bullets in the direction of mostly peaceful demonstrators to shut down the referendum   pro - independence parties may again win the election . Such a result would raise doubts surrounding Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy ’ s ability to govern . Students   wrapped with Esteladas ( Catalan separatist flags )  walk through a street as they arrive to attend a protest two days after the banned independence referendum in Barcelona   Spain   October 3   2017 . REUTERS / Jon Nazca Rajoy ’ s immediate opposition in the national parliament lacks the numbers to force him out through a no - confidence vote   but without cross - party support on Catalonia   he may be forced to call a snap national election himself . Rajoy was voted in as a minority leader twice in last year ’ s two elections and a fractious parliament suggests a snap election may prompt a similar result . TALKS Students hold Catalan separatist flags during a demonstration two days after the banned independence referendum in Barcelona   Spain October 3   2017 . REUTERS / Enrique Calvo If the Catalan parliament gives up the push for independence   Rajoy may sit down with  Puigdemont  to hammer out a new deal for the region including a better tax deal and greater fiscal autonomy . Budget Minister Cristobal Montoro and Economy Minister Luis de Guindos have suggested this may be a possibility if the independence drive is completely abandoned .  Puigdemont  has yet to make a unilateral declaration of independence   instead calling for a period of reflection   leaving the door open for such a scenario . However   after the violent scenes on Sunday and continued protests on Tuesday via a partial strike across the region   the Catalan leader may be keen to keep face and avoid being seen bowing down to Madrid . COURTS If the Catalans do not go ahead with a declaration of independence but also fail to sit down for talks with Rajoy as the two party ’ s positions diverge beyond a possible compromise   Madrid may refer the matter to the constitutional courts . Legal and financial action against Catalan leaders is likely to fuel animosity and could prompt further protests   pushing leaders on both sides into difficult positions .
Catalan regional police officers walk through a street covered with ballots for the banned independence referendum thrown by people outside People ' s Party ( PP ) regional headquarters during a protest in Barcelona   Spain   October 3   2017 . REUTERS / Jon Nazca MADRID ( Reuters ) - Leaders of Spain ’ s industrialised northeastern region of Catalonia said the regional population had voted for independence in a ballot on Sunday that the central government said was illegal and non - representative . With 95 percent of the vote counted   authorities said the “ Yes ” vote stood at 90 . 1 percent   albeit with a turnout of just a little over 40 percent - 2 . 26 million out of 5 . 34 million registered voters . On Tuesday   Barcelona metro stations were closed   pickets blocked main roads and civil servants walked out in response to a strike called by pro - independence groups . The stand - off could now take three different paths . TENSIONS ESCALATE  [TGT]continues with  [TGT]  pledge to declare unilateral independence   likely prompting the central government to trigger Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution   which would strip the region of  [TGT]  autonomous status and put  [TGT]  under direct Madrid rule . If Article 155 is triggered   the next step would be snap elections in Catalonia . Pro - independence parties only hold the majority in the regional parliament with the help of the far - left group CUP   and polls   before Sunday ’ s ballot   suggest these groups could lose their hold on power if a new election was called . However   after events on Sunday   when police swung truncheons and fired rubber bullets in the direction of mostly peaceful demonstrators to shut down the referendum   pro - independence parties may again win the election . Such a result would raise doubts surrounding Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy ’ s ability to govern . Students   wrapped with Esteladas ( Catalan separatist flags )  walk through a street as they arrive to attend a protest two days after the banned independence referendum in Barcelona   Spain   October 3   2017 . REUTERS / Jon Nazca Rajoy ’ s immediate opposition in the national parliament lacks the numbers to force him out through a no - confidence vote   but without cross - party support on Catalonia   he may be forced to call a snap national election himself . Rajoy was voted in as a minority leader twice in last year ’ s two elections and a fractious parliament suggests a snap election may prompt a similar result . TALKS Students hold Catalan separatist flags during a demonstration two days after the banned independence referendum in Barcelona   Spain October 3   2017 . REUTERS / Enrique Calvo If the Catalan parliament gives up the push for independence   Rajoy may sit down with  Puigdemont  to hammer out a new deal for the region including a better tax deal and greater fiscal autonomy . Budget Minister Cristobal Montoro and Economy Minister Luis de Guindos have suggested this may be a possibility if the independence drive is completely abandoned .  Puigdemont  has yet to make a unilateral declaration of independence   instead calling for a period of reflection   leaving the door open for such a scenario . However   after the violent scenes on Sunday and continued protests on Tuesday via a partial strike across the region   the Catalan leader may be keen to keep face and avoid being seen bowing down to Madrid . COURTS If the Catalans do not go ahead with a declaration of independence but also fail to sit down for talks with Rajoy as the two party ’ s positions diverge beyond a possible compromise   Madrid may refer the matter to the constitutional courts . Legal and financial action against Catalan leaders is likely to fuel animosity and could prompt further protests   pushing leaders on both sides into difficult positions .