This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20482719

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Spain regions: Catalonia votes in key elections Spain regions: Catalonia nationalists 'head for win'
(about 2 hours later)
The Spanish region of Catalonia is holding important regional elections, after a campaign that has focused on the issue of independence. Nationalists in the Spanish region of Catalonia are set to win in regional elections, exit polls suggest.
Catalan nationalists want to hold a referendum on whether the region should break away from the rest of Spain. TV3 said the ruling CiU party could secure up to 57 seats - far short of an absolute majority. In second place was left-wing ERC - with up to 23 seats.
Polls suggest Catalan nationalist parties are set to do well. Both are nationalists keen to hold a referendum on whether the region should break away from the rest of Spain.
Madrid says Catalan nationalists are looking for excuses after nearly running out of money.
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.
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. His centre-right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU) was likely to have 54-57 seats, the TV3 projection said - down from 62 at present.
His party argues a Catalan state would fare better as a member of the EU than a province of Spain. It put the nationalist Republican Left (ERC) at 20-23 seats, double its current share.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions