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Catalan polls may see split from Spain
Source: AFP |
November 26, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
INDEPENDENCE flags fluttering from balconies, Catalans voted in huge numbers yesterday in a snap election that could lead to a historic split from Spain.
Artur Mas, president of the northeastern region has promised to hold a referendum on self-determination within four years if the 5.4 million voters give him the mandate to do so.
"These are the most decisive elections in the history of Catalonia, the most transcendental, in which we all play a role as country, as a people," the 56-year-old Catalan leader said as he cast his vote.
The latest opinion polls suggest Mas' ruling nationalist party, Convergence and Union, will retain the most seats in parliament but fall short of the absolute majority it wants.
Pro-independence parties would share control of the new parliament, the polls show.
Four hours after voting began, Catalan government figures showed voter participation at a 24-year high for this point in the election: 29.35 percent compared to 24.79 percent in 2010.
Open conflict
The prospect of a break-up of Spain sparked an open conflict with Madrid and overwhelmed debate about the region's sky-high public debt, steep spending cuts, unemployment and recession.
Some homes unfurled the red-and-yellow striped flag of Catalonia or the pro-independence flag that also incorporates a blue square with a white star.
An independent Catalonia seems far off, however.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government says a referendum on self-determination would flout the constitution.
The vote could drive a wedge into the eurozone's fourth largest economy as it fights the deepest economic crisis since the return of democracy after the death in 1975 of General Francisco Franco.
"This could be an historic moment," said 27-year-old sociologist Andreu Camprubi.
"But I think this campaign has been too focused on the Catalonia-Spain polarisation," he said.
Others were angered by the secessionist debate.
"I think these elections are a disgrace because countries are there to unite, not divide," said a 65-year-old retiree.
Artur Mas, president of the northeastern region has promised to hold a referendum on self-determination within four years if the 5.4 million voters give him the mandate to do so.
"These are the most decisive elections in the history of Catalonia, the most transcendental, in which we all play a role as country, as a people," the 56-year-old Catalan leader said as he cast his vote.
The latest opinion polls suggest Mas' ruling nationalist party, Convergence and Union, will retain the most seats in parliament but fall short of the absolute majority it wants.
Pro-independence parties would share control of the new parliament, the polls show.
Four hours after voting began, Catalan government figures showed voter participation at a 24-year high for this point in the election: 29.35 percent compared to 24.79 percent in 2010.
Open conflict
The prospect of a break-up of Spain sparked an open conflict with Madrid and overwhelmed debate about the region's sky-high public debt, steep spending cuts, unemployment and recession.
Some homes unfurled the red-and-yellow striped flag of Catalonia or the pro-independence flag that also incorporates a blue square with a white star.
An independent Catalonia seems far off, however.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government says a referendum on self-determination would flout the constitution.
The vote could drive a wedge into the eurozone's fourth largest economy as it fights the deepest economic crisis since the return of democracy after the death in 1975 of General Francisco Franco.
"This could be an historic moment," said 27-year-old sociologist Andreu Camprubi.
"But I think this campaign has been too focused on the Catalonia-Spain polarisation," he said.
Others were angered by the secessionist debate.
"I think these elections are a disgrace because countries are there to unite, not divide," said a 65-year-old retiree.
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