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Catalan elections: secessionists claim victory – as it happened | Catalan elections: secessionists claim victory – as it happened |
(about 1 month later) | |
11.33pm BST | 11.33pm BST |
23:33 | 23:33 |
Pro-independence parties win clear majority in Catalonia | Pro-independence parties win clear majority in Catalonia |
And, with a clear result having emerged, we’ll close this liveblog. That clear result? Catalonia has handed a clear majority to parties actively seeking the region’s secession from Spain. | And, with a clear result having emerged, we’ll close this liveblog. That clear result? Catalonia has handed a clear majority to parties actively seeking the region’s secession from Spain. |
Nevertheless, independence remains a distant prospect. An agreement will have to be reached between the two main pro-independence parties in order to secure that absolute majority and the central government in Madrid has promised to fight tooth and nail to prevent secession. | Nevertheless, independence remains a distant prospect. An agreement will have to be reached between the two main pro-independence parties in order to secure that absolute majority and the central government in Madrid has promised to fight tooth and nail to prevent secession. |
The impact of this result on Spain’s general election, which is due to take place at the end of the year, will be interesting to see. | The impact of this result on Spain’s general election, which is due to take place at the end of the year, will be interesting to see. |
11.25pm BST | 11.25pm BST |
23:25 | 23:25 |
The Associated Press has produced a useful question and answer on the Catalan elections... | The Associated Press has produced a useful question and answer on the Catalan elections... |
Q: How and why did the vote come about? | Q: How and why did the vote come about? |
A: Catalonia has, for centuries, treasured its own language and culture. But, during Franco’s dictatorship, its language was banned. The recent surge in independence sentiment stems from June 2010, when Spain’s highest court struck down key parts of a charter that would have granted Catalonia more autonomy and recognised it as a nation within Spain. | A: Catalonia has, for centuries, treasured its own language and culture. But, during Franco’s dictatorship, its language was banned. The recent surge in independence sentiment stems from June 2010, when Spain’s highest court struck down key parts of a charter that would have granted Catalonia more autonomy and recognised it as a nation within Spain. |
Q: Who has won? | Q: Who has won? |
A: The pro-independence leader Artur Mas has claimed victory as separatists has won a parliamentary majority. However, opponents say pro-independence parties did not get more than 50% of the votes. | A: The pro-independence leader Artur Mas has claimed victory as separatists has won a parliamentary majority. However, opponents say pro-independence parties did not get more than 50% of the votes. |
Q: What does Spain’s government think? | Q: What does Spain’s government think? |
A: Prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s government has made it clear it will use all legal methods to prevent the independence of Catalonia, which accounts for nearly a fifth of Spain’s economic output. | A: Prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s government has made it clear it will use all legal methods to prevent the independence of Catalonia, which accounts for nearly a fifth of Spain’s economic output. |
Q: What’s next? | Q: What’s next? |
A: With both sides claiming some form of victory, moves to declare independence will be opposed. Months of negotiations are likely. | A: With both sides claiming some form of victory, moves to declare independence will be opposed. Months of negotiations are likely. |
Many analysts believe the independence drive will be halted after Spain holds a general election in December and decides whether Rajoy and his Popular Party stay in power. Whoever wins, analysts say, the next government is likely to start negotiating more autonomy and fiscal powers for Catalonia. | Many analysts believe the independence drive will be halted after Spain holds a general election in December and decides whether Rajoy and his Popular Party stay in power. Whoever wins, analysts say, the next government is likely to start negotiating more autonomy and fiscal powers for Catalonia. |
10.24pm BST | 10.24pm BST |
22:24 | 22:24 |
The pro-independence parties’ celebrations are under way... | The pro-independence parties’ celebrations are under way... |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.31pm BST | at 10.31pm BST |
9.57pm BST | 9.57pm BST |
21:57 | 21:57 |
Key point in Catalan election isn't pro-indy seats v vote %, it's that most want a referendum and Madrid will struggle to keep ignoring that | Key point in Catalan election isn't pro-indy seats v vote %, it's that most want a referendum and Madrid will struggle to keep ignoring that |
9.54pm BST | 9.54pm BST |
21:54 | 21:54 |
Pro-independence leader claims victory | Pro-independence leader claims victory |
The Guardian’s Spain correspondent Ashifa Kassam sends more from Artur Mas’ speech, in which the Catalan leader claimed victory for the pro-independence parties. She writes: | The Guardian’s Spain correspondent Ashifa Kassam sends more from Artur Mas’ speech, in which the Catalan leader claimed victory for the pro-independence parties. She writes: |
“We won,” Mas, tells a jubilant crowd at a rally in Barcelona. “Today was a double victory - the yes side won, as did democracy.” After attempts by Catalan leaders to hold a referendum on independence were blocked by the central government in Madrid, Mas turned the elections into a de facto plebiscite on the issue, pledging to begin the process of breaking away from Spain if Junts pel Sí won a majority of seats. | “We won,” Mas, tells a jubilant crowd at a rally in Barcelona. “Today was a double victory - the yes side won, as did democracy.” After attempts by Catalan leaders to hold a referendum on independence were blocked by the central government in Madrid, Mas turned the elections into a de facto plebiscite on the issue, pledging to begin the process of breaking away from Spain if Junts pel Sí won a majority of seats. |
Mas vowed to push forward with independence, despite indications showing his party unlikely to score an absolute majority on its own. “We ask that the world recognise the victory of Catalonia and the victory of the yes,” he says. “We have an enormous force and legitimacy to push this project ahead. We will do it.” | Mas vowed to push forward with independence, despite indications showing his party unlikely to score an absolute majority on its own. “We ask that the world recognise the victory of Catalonia and the victory of the yes,” he says. “We have an enormous force and legitimacy to push this project ahead. We will do it.” |
Here’s Ashifa Kassam’s full dispatch from Barcelona. | Here’s Ashifa Kassam’s full dispatch from Barcelona. |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.01pm BST | at 10.01pm BST |
9.42pm BST | 9.42pm BST |
21:42 | 21:42 |
“Catalans have voted yes to independence,” Artur Mas tells supporters after nearly 71% of the vote is counted. | “Catalans have voted yes to independence,” Artur Mas tells supporters after nearly 71% of the vote is counted. |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.44pm BST | at 9.44pm BST |
9.38pm BST | 9.38pm BST |
21:38 | 21:38 |
Alberto Nardelli | Alberto Nardelli |
Nardelli adds that the turnout is currently above 77% - a record high. | Nardelli adds that the turnout is currently above 77% - a record high. |
Updated | Updated |
at 9.38pm BST | at 9.38pm BST |
9.35pm BST | 9.35pm BST |
21:35 | 21:35 |
With nearly three quarters of the vote counted, the pro-independence parties are still on course to win a majority of seats. Alberto Nardelli... | With nearly three quarters of the vote counted, the pro-independence parties are still on course to win a majority of seats. Alberto Nardelli... |
“Although it won’t matter in terms of parliament’s composition and the parties’ pledge to declare independence within 18 months of the vote, they look likely to win less than 50% of the vote share - and this will probably be one of the main debating points post-election.” | “Although it won’t matter in terms of parliament’s composition and the parties’ pledge to declare independence within 18 months of the vote, they look likely to win less than 50% of the vote share - and this will probably be one of the main debating points post-election.” |
8.22pm BST | 8.22pm BST |
20:22 | 20:22 |
Alberto Nardelli | Alberto Nardelli |
The Guardian’s data editor Alberto Nardelli is putting together a graphic showing the Catalonian election results as they come in - just for you. | The Guardian’s data editor Alberto Nardelli is putting together a graphic showing the Catalonian election results as they come in - just for you. |
Updated | Updated |
at 8.34pm BST | at 8.34pm BST |
8.10pm BST | 8.10pm BST |
20:10 | 20:10 |
The Associated Press has been speaking to voters. | The Associated Press has been speaking to voters. |
Jordi Perez, a 50-year-old civil servant said he voted for the pro-independence “Together for Yes” because he feels Spain has historically disparaged Catalan culture and its language. | Jordi Perez, a 50-year-old civil servant said he voted for the pro-independence “Together for Yes” because he feels Spain has historically disparaged Catalan culture and its language. |
“I have wanted independence ever since I was young. During three centuries they have robbed us of our culture. We have reached the moment that the Catalan people say ‘enough is enough’.” | “I have wanted independence ever since I was young. During three centuries they have robbed us of our culture. We have reached the moment that the Catalan people say ‘enough is enough’.” |
School teacher Sandra Guerrero, 30, said these elections motivated her to vote for the first time for the anti-independence Citizens party. | School teacher Sandra Guerrero, 30, said these elections motivated her to vote for the first time for the anti-independence Citizens party. |
“I feel part of Spain. I am proud to be Catalan, but also to be Spanish. I had never voted before because I was disillusioned with politics. But, this time, I have because these are important elections.” | “I feel part of Spain. I am proud to be Catalan, but also to be Spanish. I had never voted before because I was disillusioned with politics. But, this time, I have because these are important elections.” |
7.43pm BST | 7.43pm BST |
19:43 | 19:43 |
The Guardian’s Spain correspondent Ashifa Kassam sends this dispatch from Barcelona: | The Guardian’s Spain correspondent Ashifa Kassam sends this dispatch from Barcelona: |
The first hurdle for Catalans separatists will be to find common ground between Junts pel Sí, the coalition of parties from the right and left as well as grassroots activists, and the CUP. | The first hurdle for Catalans separatists will be to find common ground between Junts pel Sí, the coalition of parties from the right and left as well as grassroots activists, and the CUP. |
“It’s not going to be easy,” said political analyst Josep Ramoneda. CUP has stated that the process of independence will only be legitimate if they win a majority of seats and votes. They have also taken aim at the idea of Artur Mas leading the transitional government, pointing to a string of corruption scandals that have plagued his party Democratic Convergence in recent years. CUP has also pushed for a more immediate break with Spain, rather than the 18-month timeline charted out by Junts pel Sí. | “It’s not going to be easy,” said political analyst Josep Ramoneda. CUP has stated that the process of independence will only be legitimate if they win a majority of seats and votes. They have also taken aim at the idea of Artur Mas leading the transitional government, pointing to a string of corruption scandals that have plagued his party Democratic Convergence in recent years. CUP has also pushed for a more immediate break with Spain, rather than the 18-month timeline charted out by Junts pel Sí. |
Any alliance with CUP may also modify the route to independence envisioned by Junts pel Sí. Mas has said the transitional government’s first step would be a declaration, made within days of taking office, proclaiming the beginning of the process to break away from Spain. | Any alliance with CUP may also modify the route to independence envisioned by Junts pel Sí. Mas has said the transitional government’s first step would be a declaration, made within days of taking office, proclaiming the beginning of the process to break away from Spain. |
Updated | Updated |
at 8.34pm BST | at 8.34pm BST |
7.39pm BST | 7.39pm BST |
19:39 | 19:39 |
Updated | Updated |
at 10.24pm BST | at 10.24pm BST |
7.36pm BST | 7.36pm BST |
19:36 | 19:36 |
It is worth noting that the exit polls suggest none of the secessionist parties is likely to gain an absolute majority of parliamentary seats. The leading parties would need to negotiate a settlement, should the figure be borne out in the final results. | It is worth noting that the exit polls suggest none of the secessionist parties is likely to gain an absolute majority of parliamentary seats. The leading parties would need to negotiate a settlement, should the figure be borne out in the final results. |
7.29pm BST | 7.29pm BST |
19:29 | 19:29 |
My colleague Alberto Nardelli writes: “Based on these figures, the pro-independence parties would win a majority of seats and will also come very close to winning a majority of votes. | My colleague Alberto Nardelli writes: “Based on these figures, the pro-independence parties would win a majority of seats and will also come very close to winning a majority of votes. |
“This is just an exit poll though, so - as always - best treat the figures with caution and wait for official results, which should be coming in soon.” | “This is just an exit poll though, so - as always - best treat the figures with caution and wait for official results, which should be coming in soon.” |
7.19pm BST | 7.19pm BST |
19:19 | 19:19 |
Catalonia GAD3 exit poll: JxSí 62-65 C's 18-20 PSC 16-18 CSQEP 12-13 CUP 9-11 PP 10 UDC 2-3 Also boom. #27s2015 (via @electograph) | Catalonia GAD3 exit poll: JxSí 62-65 C's 18-20 PSC 16-18 CSQEP 12-13 CUP 9-11 PP 10 UDC 2-3 Also boom. #27s2015 (via @electograph) |