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| Spain regions: Catalonia nationalists win election | Spain regions: Catalonia nationalists win election |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Voters in the Spanish region of Catalonia have given their backing to nationalist parties but have punished the regional president who called an early election. | Voters in the Spanish region of Catalonia have given their backing to nationalist parties but have punished the regional president who called an early election. |
| The governing centre-right CiU led by Catalan President Artur Mas remains the largest party, winning 50 seats out of 135, down from 62 last time. | The governing centre-right CiU led by Catalan President Artur Mas remains the largest party, winning 50 seats out of 135, down from 62 last time. |
| The left-wing separatist ERC party came second with 21 seats. | The left-wing separatist ERC party came second with 21 seats. |
| Both parties want to hold a referendum on independence from Spain. | Both parties want to hold a referendum on independence from Spain. |
| A source close to a "disappointed" Catalan President Artur Mas told me a referendum, or at least a public consultation on independence is "still the plan". | A source close to a "disappointed" Catalan President Artur Mas told me a referendum, or at least a public consultation on independence is "still the plan". |
| Crucially, my source believes a deal with Esquerra Republicana, the centre-left pro-independence party which increased its share of the vote last night "has to be possible", as there is "no other alternative". | Crucially, my source believes a deal with Esquerra Republicana, the centre-left pro-independence party which increased its share of the vote last night "has to be possible", as there is "no other alternative". |
| However a pact between CiU, Mr Mas's centre-right nationalist party, and Esquerra Republicana will not be easy. The two are poles apart on the crucial issue of the economy and how to tackle the economic crisis in Catalonia. | However a pact between CiU, Mr Mas's centre-right nationalist party, and Esquerra Republicana will not be easy. The two are poles apart on the crucial issue of the economy and how to tackle the economic crisis in Catalonia. |
| CiU has implemented austerity measures, including controversial cuts to the public sector. It is possible it will want to implement more economic reforms, which Esquerra Republicana is likely to oppose. | CiU has implemented austerity measures, including controversial cuts to the public sector. It is possible it will want to implement more economic reforms, which Esquerra Republicana is likely to oppose. |
| My sense therefore is that, following last night's election result, a referendum on independence from Spain is less likely, because of the fact that the political process going forward has become even more complicated than it was before. | My sense therefore is that, following last night's election result, a referendum on independence from Spain is less likely, because of the fact that the political process going forward has become even more complicated than it was before. |
| Mr Mas told the BBC he would consult the people on independence within the next four years. | Mr Mas told the BBC he would consult the people on independence within the next four years. |
| "I am happy with tonight's results," he said, "but not as happy as I could have been." | "I am happy with tonight's results," he said, "but not as happy as I could have been." |
| Mr Mas called early elections after a funding row with the central government in Madrid. | Mr Mas called early elections after a funding row with the central government in Madrid. |
| It has accused him of trying to exploit the economic crisis, saying Catalan nationalists were looking for excuses after nearly running out of money. | It has accused him of trying to exploit the economic crisis, saying Catalan nationalists were looking for excuses after nearly running out of money. |
| European membership? | European membership? |
| Mr Mas says the wealthy and influential north-eastern region gets a raw funding deal from the central government. His centre-right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU) argues a Catalan state would fare better as a member of the EU than a province of Spain. | Mr Mas says the wealthy and influential north-eastern region gets a raw funding deal from the central government. His centre-right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU) argues a Catalan state would fare better as a member of the EU than a province of Spain. |
| The ERC, the nationalist Republican Left party, has more than doubled its previous share of seats - up from 10 in 2010 to 21 this time. | The ERC, the nationalist Republican Left party, has more than doubled its previous share of seats - up from 10 in 2010 to 21 this time. |
| The European flag was prominent at Mr Mas's campaign rallies, and he says an independent Catalonia would quickly gain membership of the 27-member bloc. | The European flag was prominent at Mr Mas's campaign rallies, and he says an independent Catalonia would quickly gain membership of the 27-member bloc. |
| The CiU ousted the Socialist party in elections in November 2010. | The CiU ousted the Socialist party in elections in November 2010. |
| The road to independence is far from straightforward, says the BBC's Tom Burridge, in the Catalan regional capital Barcelona. | The road to independence is far from straightforward, says the BBC's Tom Burridge, in the Catalan regional capital Barcelona. |
| A referendum would be illegal under the current Spanish constitution, and Spain's ruling Popular Party is likely to block any attempts for constitutional change. | A referendum would be illegal under the current Spanish constitution, and Spain's ruling Popular Party is likely to block any attempts for constitutional change. |
| Other parties, such as the Ciutadans, the Popular Party of Catalonia and the Socialist Party of Catalonia are all opposed to Catalonia's independence bid. | |
| Are you in Catalonia? What is your reaction to the election result? Who did you vote for? What do you think about the issue of independence? You can send us your views using the form below. | Are you in Catalonia? What is your reaction to the election result? Who did you vote for? What do you think about the issue of independence? You can send us your views using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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