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Spain regions: Catalonia nationalists win election | |
(about 2 hours 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. | |
With more than 99% of votes counted, the governing centre-right CiU remains the largest party, with 50 seats out of 135, down from 62 last time. | |
The left-wing separatist ERC party is in second place with 21 seats. | |
Both parties want to hold a referendum on independence from Spain. | |
Catalan President Artur Mas, the leader of the CiU, 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." | |
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. | |
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 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. | |
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. | 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. | 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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