Catalonia vote: Pro-independence parties win election 

Pro-independence parties in Spain's Catalonia region have won an absolute majority in regional elections.

With nearly 100 percent of the votes counted, the main separatist alliance and a smaller party won 72 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament. 

Earlier said a majority would allow them to declare independence from Spain unilaterally within 18 months. 

But the central government in Madrid has pledged to block such moves in court.

With 99.67% of the votes counted, the "Junts per Si" ("Together for Yes") won 62 seats, while the far-left separatist CUP party is expected to secure 10 Catalonia regional President Artus Mas told his cheering supporters after a celebration rally that the pro-independence camp’s would now proceed towards the creation of an independent Catalonia state.


BBC