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Article snippet: (Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.) Good morning. Here’s what you need to know: • “I’m just for a united Spain,” President Trump told journalists as he hosted Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, calling Catalan efforts to secede “foolish.” The region is scheduled to hold a referendum on independence from Spain on Sunday, despite fierce opposition from Madrid and the courts. Yesterday, Mr. Rajoy’s government said it would take control of voting booths to thwart the vote. Here’s our correspondent’s guide to Spain’s political crisis. He notes that support for independence has been waning, but most Catalans want a vote to be held. _____ • In Germany, coalition talks have begun, but could prove tough, especially on migration. Our Interpreter columnist explores why populist parties like Alternative for Germany have been able to exploit a broader loss of faith in mainstream parties. One explanation: Elite consensus alienated voters who wanted a genuine debates on major issues. For many Israelis, thousands of whom have flocked to Berlin in recent years for its socially liberal politics, the election result was especially problematic. _____ • Emmanuel Macron, the French president, outlined his proposals to revitalize the European Union, including a common defense budget and a shared asylum office, in a speech to students at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Brussels welcomed the speech, but reactions across Europe were mixed. Andrej Babis, the... Link to the full article to read more