Catalan leader Artur Mas kicked off campaigning for a regional election billed as an indirect poll on independence from Spain by urging voters to determine their "political future".
Catalan separatists hold a massive rally in Barcelona in favour of independence that will kick off campaigning for a regional election billed as a de facto referendum on secession from Spain.
Catalonia's president vowed to begin seceding from Spain if pro-independence parties win a majority of seats -- not votes -- in regional parliament elections set for later this month.
Spanish lawmakers overwhelming approved Greece's third bailout package following a debate in parliament which the ruling party used to defend its economic record.
The leader of Spain's wealthy Catalonia region signed a decree calling early parliamentary elections on September 27 which he has said will act as proxy vote on independence.
Catalonia is poised to call on Monday an early regional election that will serve as a proxy vote on independence from the rest of Spain, raising tensions with the central government in Madrid.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Wednesday backed a former mayor whose comments have been called xenophobic as his party's top candidate for regional elections in independence-minded Catalonia.
Greece's economic turbulence is dominating political debate in Spain ahead of a year-end general election, with the ruling conservatives pointing to Syriza's difficulties to discredit its Spanish ally Podemos.