加泰罗尼亚“独立公投” 西班牙陷存亡危机

This was billed as a vote on the future of Spain, with politicians and the press both raising the prospect of Catalan independence. The regional parliamentary election was brought forward by two years. Such was the fever surrounding the issue of secession, the Catalans leader Artur Mas wanted a majority for his Convergence and Union Party, so he could continue to drive Catalonia further along the road out of Spain, but when it came to polling day, his party actually lost 12 seats. However, Mr. Mas was defiant.

"By adding and subtracting, one can only conclude that the sum of the political forces that are in favour of the right to decide, which was a great compromise behind these elections, is already there, the right to freely decide our future."

The big gain of the night was the other regional separatist party, the Republican Left of Catalonia, the results confirm there is wide spread support for breaking away from Madrid.

"We need to get referendum so we can vote for independence, they need to let us vote, let us express ourselves and say what we want because we are a nation and we have been one for centuries, we must be one again."

The issue has fueled public debate and this election saw its highest turnout since 1988. Back in Madrid, hard-line conservative voters called for unity, evoking the memory of right wing dictator Francisco Franco. Catalonia is proud of its national identity, it has a defined territory and a separate language, but was repressed during Franco's years in power. The conservative national government in Madrid has ruled out giving Catalonia the power to hold a referendum on independence. Mr. Mas says he will go to the EU or even the UN, so the Catalans people can have their say.

But Catalonia, like the rest of the country, is in deep economic trouble, and in the summer it asked for a regional bailout from Madrid. For many voters the high unemployment rates and budget deficits were more pressing issues.

"With the crisis I don't think controversy is necessary, it's a waste of time, the important thing is to overcome the crisis, further along we can do what we want, but now it is important to get out of the crisis."

Mr. Mas won't be able to shy away from the regional and national economic woes, and he will now have to team up with other separatist politicians to continue his plans for Catalan independence.

Ross Cullen, Sky News.