Catalonia votes ‘Yes to independence’

As such, a mandate is illegal under the Spanish constitution, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has called Catalonian efforts to separate from Spain “nonsense”, but many believe that the region’s vote will force Spanish officials to acknowledge the growing nationalism among Catalans.

With 93 percent of the vote counted, “Together for Yes” was projected to win 62 seats while the radical Popular Unity Candidacy party, or CUP, was headed for 10 seats, meaning a majority.

The pro-independence leader Artur Mas claimed victory as a jubilant crowd interrupted him with cheers and chants of “Independence!” in Catalan, which is spoken side by side with Spanish in the prosperous, industrialized region bordering France.

Before the election, its leaders promised to use their popular mandate to implement a “roadmap” towards an independent Catalan state within 18 months.

For a referendum to take place on independence, the central government would have to transfer autonomy to the region in the same way that it happened in Scotland during their vote for independence, something that is unlikely to happen.

But the pro-independence camp fell short of winning a majority of votes, handing its adversaries in Madrid a strong argument to resist the push for independence. “Long live Catalonia“, he said. However, he said that he is willing to collaborate with the next Catalan government, but only “within the law”.

However, for Catalans, the vote, which saw a turnout of 78 percent, showed that the majority are in favor of parties which push for Catalonia to go it alone.

Groups that want to break Spain’s richest region away as a new state in Europe won a combined 72 seats in the 135-seat parliament in Sunday’s polls, but they won fewer than half the votes overall – just under 48 per cent.

“Mas”™ liberal ruling party, the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia, joined longtime rivals in the Republican Left of Catalonia and other citizen groups to form the Together for Yes coaltion.

From there, the priority of the government would be to hold talks with Madrid and European institutions, Mas said during the campaign.

– Since Franco’s death and the restoration of democracy, Catalonia has been one of Spain’s 17 “autonomous communities” and has been gradually reasserting its identity, language and culture.

Pro independence supporters wave “estelada” or pro independence flags during a rally of “Junts pel Si” or “Together for YES” in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, September 25, 2015.