Topic: Mariano Rajoy

The Catalan Parliament officially voted for independence, leading to celebrations in Barcelona. In response, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy invoked constitutional powers to dissolve the regional parliament and call for new elections on December 21st. The regional police chief and President Carles Puigdemont were removed from their posts as Madrid imposed direct rule.

The leaders of Italy, Germany, France, and Spain—dubbed the "Big Four"—met in Rome to discuss solutions to the European debt crisis. The hosts compare this grouping to the "Big Three" of the WWII era and dismiss the summit as a theatrical performance that will fail to prevent eventual conflict in Europe.