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Catalonia vote: Pro-independence parties win elections | Catalonia vote: Pro-independence parties win elections |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Pro-independence parties in Spain's Catalonia region have won an absolute majority in regional elections, near complete results show. | Pro-independence parties in Spain's Catalonia region have won an absolute majority in regional elections, near complete results show. |
With nearly 100% of the votes counted, the main separatist alliance and a smaller party won 72 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament. | |
They said earlier a majority would allow them to declare independence from Spain unilaterally within 18 months. | They said earlier 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. |
With 99,67% of the votes counted, the "Junts per Si" ("Together for Yes") won 62 seats, while the far-left separatist CUP party is expected to secure 10 mandates. | |
"We have won," Catalan regional President Artus Mas told his cheering supporters late on Sunday. | "We have won," Catalan regional President Artus Mas told his cheering supporters late on Sunday. |
After a celebration rally, the pro-independence camp's leaders told the BBC's Tom Burridge that they would now proceed towards the creation of an independent Catalan state. | After a celebration rally, the pro-independence camp's leaders told the BBC's Tom Burridge that they would now proceed towards the creation of an independent Catalan state. |
But the road ahead is controversial and anything but clear, our correspondent adds. | But the road ahead is controversial and anything but clear, our correspondent adds. |
The pro-independence parties said ahead of the vote that they considered it a de facto referendum on independence from Spain. | The pro-independence parties said ahead of the vote that they considered it 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. | 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. | 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 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 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 vote. | More than five million people were eligible to vote. |
The ruling Convergencia party of Mr Mas and the Esquerra Republicana party put up a single list of candidates - under the "Together for Yes" banner. | The ruling Convergencia party of Mr Mas and the Esquerra Republicana party put up a single list of candidates - under the "Together for Yes" banner. |
The anti-independence vote in Catalonia was split between a number of groups, including Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party. | The anti-independence vote in Catalonia was 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. |