Guardian

Catalonia goes to polls in vote that will gauge support for independence

Spain watches closely as Catalans take separatist movement to the ballot

In Sunday's regional election, the Catalan Socialist Party, led by Salvador Illa, emerged as the leaders with 42 seats won, marking the first time ever that the Socialists won the popular vote and emerged as the seat leaders in Catalonia.

In Sunday's regional election, the Catalan Socialist Party, led by Salvador Illa, emerged with a 42 seat plurality, marking the first time ever that the Socialists won the popular vote and emerged as the seat leaders in Catalonia.

This election was a blow to the region's separatist movement, which for the first time in over a decade is no longer the majority in parliament. Catalonia's four separatist parties netted 61 out of 135 seats, shy of the 68 needed for a majority.

Al Jazeera

Behind the Socialists, pro-independence Together for Catalonia came in second with 35 seats. Esquerra, the party which called the snap election, saw their count reduced to 20, and has ruled out any agreement with the Socialists.

nytimes

After a 2017 independence referendum in Catalonia sparked a constitutional crisis, the regional election was widely seen as a vote on Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's policy of reconciliation with the region.

After a 2017 independence referendum in Catalonia led to a declaration of independence and a constitutional crisis, the election was widely seen as a vote on Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's policy of reconciliation with the region.

After an illegal referendum in 2017 led to a declaration of independence and a national crisis, the election was widely seen as a vote on Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's policy of reconciliation with Catalonia.

Central issues in the campaign included the region's drought, housing crisis, and Sanchez's proposal to provide legal amnesty for Catalonian nationalists. Illa thanked Sanchez on election night and credited his policies for the win.

BBC News

The Socialists will now be required to form a coalition government or face another snap election. Together For Catalonia's Charles Puigdemont, currently exiled in France, has vowed to try and form a pro-separatist government.

The Socialists will now have to form a pro-union coalition government or face another snap election. Together For Catalonia's Charles Puigdemont, living in France awaiting amnesty, has vowed to form a pro-separatist government.

The Socialists will now have to form a pro-union coalition government or face another snap election. Together For Catalonia's Carles Puigdemont, living in France awaiting amnesty, has vowed to form a pro-separatist government.

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The Socialists may have won the battle, but they will shortly lose the war due to national discontent with their appeasement policy towards Catalonian separatists. The controversial amnesty bill has been condemned as a violation of the rule of law and could damage trust in institutions for years to come. Even after this concession, Catalonian hardliners like Puigdemont are still intent on independence, even if they take of the rest of Spain with it.

The Socialist government has ushered in a new era of relations between Catalonia and the rest of Spain, with these election results being proof-positive that the pragmatic and diplomatic approach of Sanchez is the soundest. By meeting the Catalonians in the middle, nationalist fervor in the region continues to decline, as Madrid for once proves to be a receptive ear for their concerns, even in the face of condemnation of their brave amnesty law.

With Amnesty Law, Spain Is Doing Something Brave - The New York Times

The Catalonian dream of independence has not died, and Illa faces an uphill battle to form a pro-union government. The delicate balance of power in the region is stacked against a Socialist government ever forming, with the separatist movement still controlling a large amount of seats. If the Socialists cannot form a government that stands up to Madrid and fights for the interests of Catalonia, the separatists will be obligated to form a minority government.

Catalan News

Catalan News #

Puigdemont announces intention to form government, Socialists open talks to seek majority

There is a 10% chance that Spain will recognize Catalonia as a sovereign state by 2070, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus2

Spanish recognition of Catalonia

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Spain: Socialists Eclipse Pro-Independence Parties in Catalonia Election

Spain

Politics

Spain's socialist government has ushered in a new era of relations between Catalonia and the rest of Spain, with these election results being proof-positive that the pragmatic and diplomatic approach of Sánchez is the soundest. By meeting the Catalonians in the middle, nationalist fervor in the region has declined, as Madrid for once proves to be a receptive ear for their concerns, even in the face of condemnation of their brave amnesty law.

Socialists may have won the battle, but they will shortly lose the war as a coalition government in Catalonia seems to be possible only with the support of at least one secessionist party. Discontent with their appeasement policy towards Catalonian separatists, particularly with the controversial amnesty bill, can only aggravate in such scenario. Furthermore, if Junts feels marginalized in its own political stronghold, it is likely to punish the central coalition government.

Spectator (UK)

Catalans appear to be growing tired of independence

The Catalonian dream of independence has not died, especially as this outcome is all too similar to that of the national elections that allowed Sánchez to secure another term despite the conservative People's Party emerging as the seat leaders. As Illa faces an uphill battle to secure a majority, it's clear that Puigdemont is best placed to form a larger and more coherent government for Catalonia.

Spain: Socialists Eclipse Pro-Independence Parties in Catalonia Election

Spain: Socialists Eclipse Pro-Independence Parties in Catalonia Election

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Spain: Socialists Eclipse Pro-Independence Parties in Catalonia Election

Spain: Socialists Eclipse Pro-Independence Parties in Catalonia Election

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