Prime Minister of Spain
Rajoy lost a parliamentary confidence vote triggered by a long-running corruption trial involving members of his center-right party.
The government voted to strip Catalonia of its autonomy less than an hour after the region declared independence.
Instead, Carles Puigdemont made a “sincere and honest” offer for dialogue.
President Carles Puigdemont requested more time for negotiations.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
The region is divided over a movement to breakaway from Spain.
As Spanish police wielded batons and fired rubber bullets at Catalan voters, the region’s own police force adopted a much gentler approach.
All of Spain is baffled by what's going on.
"I was ashamed of what was taking place,” the president said during a press conference with the Spanish prime minister.