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Catalonia votes in key regional elections | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Catalonia is voting in regional elections that nationalist parties hope will set them on the road to independence from Spain. | Catalonia is voting 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 such moves in court. | |
Polls suggest a majority of Catalans favour a referendum on independence but are evenly divided over whether they want to secede. | Polls suggest a majority of Catalans favour a referendum on independence but are evenly divided over whether they want to secede. |
The El Pais newspaper reported that turnout had reached 63.1% as of 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT). | |
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 opened at 07:00 GMT and will close at 18:00 GMT. | Polling stations in the wealthy north-eastern province opened at 07:00 GMT and will 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. |