SPAIN-CATALONIA-POLITICS

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont leaves the hemicycle after Catalonia's parliament voted to declare independence from Spain on October 27, 2017 in Barcelona. Catalonia's parliament voted to declare independence from Spain and proclaim a republic, just as Madrid is poised to impose direct rule on the region to stop it in its tracks. A motion declaring independence was approved with 70 votes in favour, 10 against and two abstentions, with Catalan opposition MPs walking out of the 135-seat chamber before the vote in protest at a declaration unlikely to be given official recognition. / AFP PHOTO / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)