Two Catalonian separatists MEPs elected last week – including former leader Carles Puigdemont – have been barred from accrediting with the European Parliament until they sign a constitutional oath in Madrid. The pair fear arrest if they return to Spain.

The Spanish social democrats becomes the biggest national group among the European socialists, after winning the Spanish European election – which also sees a Catalan separatist in jail elected as MEP.

The Spanish left declared victory over the far-right in elections on Sunday, as their adversaries vowed to “reconquer” the country.

Spain will head for the ballot boxes on Sunday to elect a new government, in an election that likely to be the country’s most fragmented and unclear vote.

The Catalan parliament is due to elect the president of the regional government, amid uncertainties over the whereabouts and strategy of the self-exiled separatist leader.

[Updated] The Catalan separatist leader said in the EU capital that he will continue to work with ministers in Belgium and Barcelone until he gets “fait treatment” from Madrid.

Three days after Madrid adopted measures to counter Catalonia’s unrecognised declaration of independence, the question is whether the Catalan ministers will show up to work and who the civil servants will take orders from.

After last minute talks failed, the Catalan parliament could declare independence on Friday, while the Spanish senate is set to vote in favour of suspending Catalonia’s autonomy.

A crucial week is ahead in Catalonia as its leaders decide whether to declare independence – an illegal move according to the Spanish government – or yield to pressure from Madrid.

Rajoy opened up to a possible reform of Spain’s regional system, while threatening to suspend Catalonia’s autonomy if the region’s leaders confirm Wednesday’s declaration of independence.

Catalan president has until Tuesday to decide whether to unilaterally declare independence in the face of growing political and economic pressure.

“The citizens of Catalonia have won the right to an independent state,” the region’s leader, Carles Puigdemont, said at the end of a day marked by Spanish police violence inside and outside polling stations.

Barcelona vowed to hold a vote and Madrid vowed to prevent one on the eve of Sunday’s planned independence referendum. The deadlock has prompted criticism of Rajoy.

Catalonia leaders insisted on holding secession vote deemed illegal by Madrid, but signalled readiness to discuss other options than independence.

Thousands of Catalans have taken to the streets, in protest against the Spanish government’s efforts to prevent the independence referendum. Both sides know that violence would go against their cause.

After a tense session, the regional parliament adopted a bill organising a referendum on 1 October. The Spanish government has promised a “serene but firm” response to prevent the vote.