Spanish Showdown, Slow Brexit
With separatists in Catalonia pushing for independence, Spain's democratic government is facing a constitutional crisis. Meanwhile, little progress has been made in negotiations on the terms of the United Kingdom's pending exit from the European Union.
Geopolitical tensions can affect economies and move financial markets. Here's a closer look at these two political standoffs taking center stage in Europe, either of which could influence national growth prospects as well as some international investments.