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| Catalan elections: secessionists claim victory – live | Catalan elections: secessionists claim victory – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.24pm BST22:24 | |
| The pro-independence parties’ celebrations are under way... | |
| Updated at 10.31pm BST | |
| 9.57pm BST21:57 | 9.57pm BST21:57 |
| 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 BST21:54 | 9.54pm BST21:54 |
| 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 at 10.01pm BST | Updated at 10.01pm BST |
| 9.42pm BST21:42 | 9.42pm BST21:42 |
| “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 at 9.44pm BST | Updated at 9.44pm BST |
| 9.38pm BST21:38 | 9.38pm BST21:38 |
| 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 at 9.38pm BST | Updated at 9.38pm BST |
| 9.35pm BST21:35 | 9.35pm BST21:35 |
| 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 BST20:22 | 8.22pm BST20:22 |
| 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 at 8.34pm BST | Updated at 8.34pm BST |
| 8.10pm BST20:10 | 8.10pm BST20:10 |
| 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 BST19:43 | 7.43pm BST19:43 |
| 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 at 8.34pm BST | Updated at 8.34pm BST |
| 7.39pm BST19:39 | 7.39pm BST19:39 |
| Updated at 10.24pm BST | |
| 7.36pm BST19:36 | 7.36pm BST19:36 |
| 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 BST19:29 | 7.29pm BST19:29 |
| 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 BST19:19 | 7.19pm BST19:19 |
| 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) |
| 7.17pm BST19:17 | 7.17pm BST19:17 |
| Just exit polls, but on those numbers pro-independence parties will not only have majority of seats, but v close to 50% vote share. #27S2015 | Just exit polls, but on those numbers pro-independence parties will not only have majority of seats, but v close to 50% vote share. #27S2015 |
| 7.16pm BST19:16 | 7.16pm BST19:16 |
| The figures show separatist parties on course to win an absolute majority and, with it, a mandate to seek Catalan independence. | The figures show separatist parties on course to win an absolute majority and, with it, a mandate to seek Catalan independence. |
| According to the poll released by local broadcaster TV3 - the largest carried out - the two largest secessionist groups “Junts pel Sí” and CUP would get between 74 and 79 of the 135 parliamentary seats between them. And they would jointly obtain 49.8% of the vote. | |
| With a majority, they have said they would unilaterally declare independence within 18 months, something the central government in Madrid says it would block in court because the Spanish constitution does not allow it. | With a majority, they have said they would unilaterally declare independence within 18 months, something the central government in Madrid says it would block in court because the Spanish constitution does not allow it. |
| Updated at 10.24pm BST | |
| 7.05pm BST19:05 | 7.05pm BST19:05 |
| Exit polls show pro-Catalan independence parties likely to win a majority | Exit polls show pro-Catalan independence parties likely to win a majority |
| Catalonia election - TV3 exit poll: Junts pel Sí 63-66 seats Cs 19-21 PSC 14-16 CSQP 12-14 CUP 11-13 PP 9-11 UDC 0-3 Boom. #27S2015 | Catalonia election - TV3 exit poll: Junts pel Sí 63-66 seats Cs 19-21 PSC 14-16 CSQP 12-14 CUP 11-13 PP 9-11 UDC 0-3 Boom. #27S2015 |
| 6.24pm BST18:24 | 6.24pm BST18:24 |
| #PresidentMas exercises his right to vote in the #27S2015 elections at his local polling station pic.twitter.com/GUatbq4uSz | #PresidentMas exercises his right to vote in the #27S2015 elections at his local polling station pic.twitter.com/GUatbq4uSz |
| Here is Artur Mas casting that aforementioned vote. | Here is Artur Mas casting that aforementioned vote. |
| 6.20pm BST18:20 | 6.20pm BST18:20 |
| The Guardian’s data editor Alberto Nardelli on the potential effect of a high turnout on the final results: “It’s difficult to say who will benefit because it will all depend on how the vote is distributed. But what is clear is that, come tonight, we should get a clear idea of where Catalans stand on the issue of independence.” | The Guardian’s data editor Alberto Nardelli on the potential effect of a high turnout on the final results: “It’s difficult to say who will benefit because it will all depend on how the vote is distributed. But what is clear is that, come tonight, we should get a clear idea of where Catalans stand on the issue of independence.” |
| Updated at 8.34pm BST | Updated at 8.34pm BST |
| 6.17pm BST18:17 | 6.17pm BST18:17 |
| He volat 17.000km des d'Austràlia per poder votar, #VotaPerMi @assemblea @fiec @catalanassembly @tv3cat @diariARA pic.twitter.com/7VvZY3ZS0W | He volat 17.000km des d'Austràlia per poder votar, #VotaPerMi @assemblea @fiec @catalanassembly @tv3cat @diariARA pic.twitter.com/7VvZY3ZS0W |
| My colleague Ashifa Kassam reports that Ramon Querol Bonet was one who travelled a great distance to cast his vote. “I flew 17,000 km from Australia to vote,” reads his tweet. | My colleague Ashifa Kassam reports that Ramon Querol Bonet was one who travelled a great distance to cast his vote. “I flew 17,000 km from Australia to vote,” reads his tweet. |
| On his Facebook page, he added: “17,000 km to be able to vote. It’s a dream come true. For all the Catalans outside of Catalonia who weren’t allowed to vote, this one is for you. Long live a free Catalonia.” | On his Facebook page, he added: “17,000 km to be able to vote. It’s a dream come true. For all the Catalans outside of Catalonia who weren’t allowed to vote, this one is for you. Long live a free Catalonia.” |
| 6.16pm BST18:16 | 6.16pm BST18:16 |
| According to regional authorities, the number of votes by post jumped by 56% as compared to the 2012 elections, despite the fact that Catalans living in US, Mexico, Chile and parts of China weren’t able to take part in the elections because their ballot papers didn’t arrive on time. | According to regional authorities, the number of votes by post jumped by 56% as compared to the 2012 elections, despite the fact that Catalans living in US, Mexico, Chile and parts of China weren’t able to take part in the elections because their ballot papers didn’t arrive on time. |
| 6.12pm BST18:12 | 6.12pm BST18:12 |
| “Today is a great win for democracy in Catalonia. We have surpassed all the obstacles placed by the Spanish government. Now, Catalonia faces its own destiny,” Catalonia’s regional leader Artur Mas said after casting his vote. | “Today is a great win for democracy in Catalonia. We have surpassed all the obstacles placed by the Spanish government. Now, Catalonia faces its own destiny,” Catalonia’s regional leader Artur Mas said after casting his vote. |
| There are 135 seats being contested. The opinion polls put the main secessionist group “Junts Pel Sí” (Together for Yes) and the leftist party CUP on course to win a majority of seats, although they were likely to fall short of 50% of the vote. | |
| By early evening on Sunday, more than 63% of those eligible to vote had cast their ballots. That was close to 7% more than in the previous regional election, the government said. As previously noted, that high turnout could be the factor that tips the balance away from an pro-independence win. | By early evening on Sunday, more than 63% of those eligible to vote had cast their ballots. That was close to 7% more than in the previous regional election, the government said. As previously noted, that high turnout could be the factor that tips the balance away from an pro-independence win. |
| Updated at 10.24pm BST | |
| 6.01pm BST18:01 | 6.01pm BST18:01 |
| With separatist parties expected to win a majority, it has been predicted that a high turnout could yet turn the result. And the turnout is on course to be the highest on record since the end of the Franco dictatorship in the 1970s, according to reports. You can read more about that in this piece by my colleague Ashifa Kassam. | With separatist parties expected to win a majority, it has been predicted that a high turnout could yet turn the result. And the turnout is on course to be the highest on record since the end of the Franco dictatorship in the 1970s, according to reports. You can read more about that in this piece by my colleague Ashifa Kassam. |
| Ashifa has also provided this detailed piece, which gives a great deal of background as we wait the exit polls. | Ashifa has also provided this detailed piece, which gives a great deal of background as we wait the exit polls. |
| 5.49pm BST17:49 | 5.49pm BST17:49 |
| In theory, this is a local election like any other. But the outcome will determine whether the authorities in Catalonia have a mandate to push for the region’s independence from Spain. Should the leading separatist parties win control of the Catalonian parliament, as opinion polls have suggested they are likely to do, each has said that that push would come within 18 months. Spain’s central government, however, has dismissed the possibility of Catalan independence as a “nonsense”. | In theory, this is a local election like any other. But the outcome will determine whether the authorities in Catalonia have a mandate to push for the region’s independence from Spain. Should the leading separatist parties win control of the Catalonian parliament, as opinion polls have suggested they are likely to do, each has said that that push would come within 18 months. Spain’s central government, however, has dismissed the possibility of Catalan independence as a “nonsense”. |
| Exit polls are expected as early as 6pm GMT, but may come later. You can follow that - and the full results - here, as well as regular updates from Guardian staff. | Exit polls are expected as early as 6pm GMT, but may come later. You can follow that - and the full results - here, as well as regular updates from Guardian staff. |
| Updated at 7.49pm BST | Updated at 7.49pm BST |