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Spain regions: Catalonia nationalists 'head for win' | Spain regions: Catalonia nationalists 'head for win' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nationalists in the Spanish region of Catalonia are set to win in regional elections, partial results show. | |
With nearly half the votes counted, the ruling CiU had secured 47 seats - short of an absolute majority. The separatist left-wing ERC was winning 21 seats. | |
Both are nationalists keen to hold a referendum on whether the region should break away from the rest of Spain. | 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. | 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. |
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. | |
The nationalist Republican Left (ERC) was on course to double its current share. | |
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 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. |
As results began coming in, Mr Mas said he would begin consultations and wants to put the question of an independence bid on the table of negotiations. | |
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 and the Socialist Party of Catalonia are all opposed to Catalonia's independence bid. | |
Are you in Catalonia? 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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