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Catalonia vote: Nationalist parties 'on course to win' Catalonia vote: Nationalist parties 'on course to win'
(35 minutes later)
Parties in favour of Catalonia's independence from Spain are on course to win a majority in regional elections, an exit poll suggests. Exit polls in the Spanish region of Catalonia suggest pro-independence parties have won Sunday's elections.
The main separatist alliance "Junts per Si" (Together for Yes) is set to win 63-66 out of 135 seats, according to the poll for local broadcaster TV3. The main separatist alliance "Junts per Si" (Together for Yes) is set to win 63-66 of the 135 seats, according to the poll for local broadcaster TV3.
The left-wing CUP was set to secure 11-13 seats, the poll said. The far-left separatist CUP looks set to secure 11-13 seats, the poll said.
The parties have said a majority would allow them to unilaterally declare independence within 18 months. "Junts per Si" and the CUP said before the vote that a majority would allow them to declare independence from Spain unilaterally within 18 months.
The central government in Madrid has pledged to block such moves in court.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. The pro-independence parties have said they consider Sunday's vote a de facto referendum on independence from Spain.
They argue that the Spanish government has consistently refused to allow a legally recognised referendum to take place, ignoring an unofficial vote backing independence in November 2014.
Opinion 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 explainedCatalonia's quarrel with Spain explained
Independence debate gets personal ahead of Spain voteIndependence debate gets personal ahead of Spain vote
'Nonsense''Nonsense'
Polling stations in the wealthy north-eastern province opened at 07:00 GMT and closed at 18:00 GMT.Polling stations in the wealthy north-eastern province opened at 07:00 GMT and closed at 18:00 GMT.
More than five million people were eligible to cast their votes. More than five million people were eligible to vote.
The ruling Convergencia party of Catalan leader Artur Mas and the Esquerra Republicana party ran on a single list of candidates - under the "Together for Yes" banner. The ruling Convergencia party of Catalan leader Artur Mas and the Esquerra Republicana party put up a single list of candidates - under the "Together for Yes" banner.
They have said they consider Sunday's vote 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.
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.