Catalonia's fugitive former president, who organised illegal independence referendum, addressed crowd of thousands in Barcelona before disappearing

Right-wing opposition in Madrid casts move as latest in string of concessions Sánchez has made to Catalan nationalists in exchange for their support in the Spanish parliament

Spanish prime minister proposes new financing system for region

Judge maintains arrest warrant against Carles Puigdemont over financial crime allegation

Regional vote is a boost for Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez as pro-independence parties lose majority

Drought and social issues push independence aside

Carles Puigdemont campaigns for election from south of France

Poll in 2017 marked by police baton charges on voters and led to the Spanish government temporarily introducing direct rule

Prime minister describes law designed to withdraw legal action as ‘brave and necessary step’

Nationalist town watches events in Madrid with caution

Pro-independence party votes against controversial law

Politicians have 15 days to agree on a new draft law, but prime minister is under pressure

Separatist leader Carles Puigdemont risks exclusion from controversial law

Allegations claim senior police officers created ‘informative notes’ using fabricated evidence

Spanish Socialists’ reliance on Catalan nationalists under scrutiny after tight parliament votes

Local government had wanted tough restrictions on numbers

Law is designed as an initiative to tackle region’s housing shortage and would see closure of 28,000 tourist properties, according to estimates

Socialist leader faces hostile start to new legislature after reaching controversial deal with Catalan nationalists

A controversial amnesty for Catalan leaders and activists risks looking like a desperate grab at power - but the alternative could be worse

The complex agreement is far from the caricature of capitulation to Catalan demands portrayed by the nationalist right