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| Catalonia votes in regional elections | Catalonia votes in regional elections |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Catalonia is due to vote in regional elections that nationalist parties hope will set them on the road to independence from Spain. | Catalonia is due to vote in regional elections that nationalist parties hope will set them on the road to independence from Spain. |
| Two separatist parties have joined forces, and are aiming to secure a majority of seats in parliament - 68 out of 135. | Two separatist parties have joined forces, and are aiming to secure a majority of seats in parliament - 68 out of 135. |
| They say this would allow them to unilaterally declare independence within 18 months. | They say this would allow them to unilaterally declare independence within 18 months. |
| The central government in Madrid has pledged to block in court such moves. | The central government in Madrid has pledged to block in court such moves. |
| Polls suggest a majority of Catalans favour a referendum on independence but are evenly divided over whether they want to secede. | |
| Catalonia's quarrel with Spain explained | Catalonia's quarrel with Spain explained |
| Independence debate gets personal ahead of Spain vote | Independence debate gets personal ahead of Spain vote |
| 'Nonsense' | 'Nonsense' |
| Polling stations in the wealthy north-eastern province will open at 07:00 GMT and close at 18:00 GMT. | Polling stations in the wealthy north-eastern province will open at 07:00 GMT and close at 18:00 GMT. |
| More than five million people are eligible to cast their votes. | More than five million people are eligible to cast their votes. |
| The ruling Convergencia party of Catalan leader Artur Mas and Esquerra Republicana have created a single list of candidates - under the banner "Together for Yes". | The ruling Convergencia party of Catalan leader Artur Mas and Esquerra Republicana have created a single list of candidates - under the banner "Together for Yes". |
| They say that Sunday's vote is a de facto referendum on independence from Spain. | They say that Sunday's vote is a de facto referendum on independence from Spain. |
| They argue that the Spanish government has consistently refused to allow a legally recognised referendum, ignoring an unofficial vote backing independence in November 2014. | They argue that the Spanish government has consistently refused to allow a legally recognised referendum, ignoring an unofficial vote backing independence in November 2014. |
| The anti-independence vote in Catalonia is split between a number of groups, including Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party. | The anti-independence vote in Catalonia is split between a number of groups, including Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party. |
| The centre-right government in Madrid has described any breakaway plans as "a nonsense". | The centre-right government in Madrid has described any breakaway plans as "a nonsense". |
| Mr Rajoy argues that because the loss of Catalonia would affect all of Spain, the democratic approach would be for all of the country to vote in a referendum on Catalonia's future. | Mr Rajoy argues that because the loss of Catalonia would affect all of Spain, the democratic approach would be for all of the country to vote in a referendum on Catalonia's future. |
| At the same time, if "Together for Yes" fails to gain a majority it would be tantamount to a serious defeat for the pro-independence movement. | At the same time, if "Together for Yes" fails to gain a majority it would be tantamount to a serious defeat for the pro-independence movement. |