Catalonia President Arthur Mas told a large cheering crowd in the eastern city of Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital, on Sunday, “We have won.”
Near complete official results show an absolute majority in regional elections for the pro-independence parties in Catalonia.
With nearly 94% of the votes counted, the Together for Yes, Mas’ party, won 62 seats, while the far-left separatist CUP party is expected to secure 10 mandates.
A total of 72 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament have been won by pro-independence parties. If the two parties form an alliance, they will hold an absolute majority in the regional parliament.
Mas had promised prior to the elections to launch a road map towards independence by 2017 if his party won a majority in the regional parliament.
It was even being reported by local media across Spain that Mas confirmed that his alliance of pro-independence leaders would proceed towards the creation of an independent Catalan state.
‘Nonsense’ breakaway
The central government in Madrid has pledged to block such moves in court.
Madrid has described any breakaway plans by Catalonia from Spain as “nonsense.”
Catalonians have their own language, and cultural traditions, complain that they get much less back from Madrid than they pay in taxes.
Pro-independence parties win Catalonia elections
28 September 2015
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Pro-independence parties in the Spanish region of Catalonia have claimed victory in regional parliamentary elections.
