Independence debate as Catalonia holds regional elections

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Regional elections are taking place today in Catalonia, Spain, in which the biggest talking point is whether the autonomous region should become an independent country. The polls are being held early as the national government has not allowed an official referendum on independence. Opinion polls, according to Reuters, suggest the secessionists will win more than half of the 135 regional Parliament seats but less than half of the popular vote.

The pro-independence parties include the Junts pel Sí (Together for Yes) coalition and the left-wing Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP). If they win a clear majority, the Junts pel Sí hopes to hold further elections in eighteen months after developing future state institutions such as a separate tax office. However, they might have to find a compromise candidate for regional president because CUP does not support the incumbent, Artur Mas. The CUP is also campaigning for Catalonia to leave the European Union.

	United we will win
—Mariano Rajoy Prime Minister of Spain

In contrast, the People's Party, led by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, has called for Catalonia to remain within Spain. Rajoy took part in a campaign video on Friday in which he says "united we will win".

Other parties in the election include the Socialists' Party of Catalonia, which has called for a federal solution, and the Ciutadans (Citizens), which is proposing a reform of the financial balance between the national and regional governments.

Voting was due to finish at 8pm local time (1800 UTC) today and more than 5 million people are eligible to participate.

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Sister links

Catalonian parliamentary election, 2015

Sources

Miquel Noguer. "Catalonia goes to the polls at elections that could decide region’s future" — El País, September 27, 2015
Julien Toyer. "Catalan separatists see election boost as step towards independence" — Reuters, September 27, 2015
Ashifa Kassam. "Catalans cast votes in unofficial independence referendum" — The Guardian, September 27, 2015

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Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.