Catalonia: pro-independence parties claim victory in regional vote
Madrid insists majority of votes were cast by those who did not want to break away from Spain

Separatists have won a majority in Catalonia's regional parliament – raising the controversial prospect of a declaration of independence from Spain.
The main secessionist group Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) won 62 seats of the 135-member assembly in the country's north-eastern region over the week, while the radical left pro-independence Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) party won another ten seats.
However, both groups jointly won 47.33 per cent of the regional vote – falling short of the majority they would have needed in a proper independence referendum.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Madrid-based newspapers seized on this, pointing out that most voters backed parties opposed to independence. Spain's leading newspaper El Pais' front-page headline yesterday read: "The independents win the election but lose the referendum."
Nonetheless Artur Mas, the Catalan president, claimed victory on Sunday telling cheering crowds at a rally in Barcelona that the independence camp had the "strength and legitimacy" to push ahead with a plan to separate from Spain over the next 18 months.
The breakaway strategy, described by the Financial Times as the "creation of what will, in effect, be a state within a state", is expected to start by establishing a Catalan foreign ministry, tax authority and central bank over the course of the new legislature.
However, any attempt to break away from Spain is likely to encounter steep opposition by Spain's central government in Madrid, which has already vowed to fight it in court, arguing that independence of Catalonia is in breach of the Spanish constitution, which does not allow regions to unilaterally decide on sovereignty.
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy recently told broadcaster Onda Cero: "We would go to the constitutional court. And that's the way it is. Full stop." The Guardian reports: "Catalonia could retaliate by walking away from its share of the public debt, accounting for roughly a third of Spain's total debt."
Many Catalans who are in favour of breaking away from Spain say their region, which represents nearly a fifth of Spain's economic output, pays too much in taxes and receives less than its fair share of government investment. Sentiment towards independence grew during Spain's near economic meltdown during the financial crisis.
Jordi Perez, a 50-year-old civil servant told the Associated Foreign Press that he voted for Together for Yes because he feels Spain has historically disparaged Catalan culture and the region's language.
"I have wanted independence ever since I was young," Perez said after voting in Barcelona. "During three centuries they have robbed us of our culture. We have reached the moment that the Catalan people say 'enough is enough'."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'"Andor" examines all sides of how empires operate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Harvard sues Trump over frozen grant money
Speed Read The Trump administration withheld $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts after Harvard rejected its demands
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff
-
The rising demand for nuclear bunkers
Under the Radar Fears of nuclear war have caused an increase in shelter sales, but experts are sceptical of their usefulness
By Abby Wilson