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Spain regions: Catalonia votes in key elections | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The Spanish region of Catalonia is holding important regional elections, after a campaign that has focused on the issue of independence. | The Spanish region of Catalonia is holding important regional elections, after a campaign that has focused on the issue of independence. |
Catalan nationalists want to hold a referendum on whether the region should break away from the rest of Spain. | Catalan nationalists want to hold a referendum on whether the region should break away from the rest of Spain. |
Polls suggest Catalan nationalist parties are set to do well. | Polls suggest Catalan nationalist parties are set to do well. |
Catalan President Artur Mas called early elections amid a funding row with the central government; it says he is trying to exploit the economic crisis. | Catalan President Artur Mas called early elections amid a funding row with the central government; it says he is trying to exploit the economic crisis. |
Madrid says Catalan nationalists are looking for excuses having nearly run out of money, and having run up a big debt. | Madrid says Catalan nationalists are looking for excuses having nearly run out of money, and having run up a big debt. |
Polls close at 20:00 (19:00 GMT). | Polls close at 20:00 (19:00 GMT). |
European membership? | European membership? |
Mr Mas says the wealthy and influential north-eastern region gets a raw funding deal from the central government, and his centre-right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU) will be hoping for a majority in the regional parliament. | Mr Mas says the wealthy and influential north-eastern region gets a raw funding deal from the central government, and his centre-right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU) will be hoping for a majority in the regional parliament. |
His party argues a Catalan state would fare better as a member of the EU than a province of Spain. | His party argues a Catalan state would fare better as a member of the EU than a province of Spain. |
The European flag has been prominent at his campaign rallies, and he says an independent Catalonia would quickly gain membership of the 27-member bloc. | The European flag has been prominent at his 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. |
With 135 parliamentary seats available, Mr Mas knows that if he is to pursue his dream of an independent Catalonia, he will need a clear mandate from voters, says the BBC's Tom Burridge, in Barcelona. | With 135 parliamentary seats available, Mr Mas knows that if he is to pursue his dream of an independent Catalonia, he will need a clear mandate from voters, says the BBC's Tom Burridge, in Barcelona. |
If not, Mr Mas will have to rely on the support of smaller pro-independence parties, our correspondent says. | If not, Mr Mas will have to rely on the support of smaller pro-independence parties, our correspondent says. |
Even then, the road to independence is far from straightforward. | Even then, the road to independence is far from straightforward. |
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 nationalist Ciutadans, the Popular Party of Catalonia the Socialist Party of Catalonia are all opposed to Catalonia's independence bid. | Other parties, such as the nationalist Ciutadans, the Popular Party of Catalonia the Socialist Party of Catalonia are all opposed to Catalonia's independence bid. |
The Catalan vote comes as the Basque separatist movement Eta indicates it is ready to disarm, disband and enter talks with the French and Spanish governments. | The Catalan vote comes as the Basque separatist movement Eta indicates it is ready to disarm, disband and enter talks with the French and Spanish governments. |
Are you in Catalonia? Will you be voting? What do you think about the issue of independence? Please send us your views, using the form below. | Are you in Catalonia? Will you be voting? What do you think about the issue of independence? Please 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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