Could Spain Split Up? Separatists Win Big Victory

'We ask that the world recognize the victory of Catalonia'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 28, 2015 12:17 AM CDT
Separatists Claim Big Victory in Spain
Catalonian pro-independence supporters celebrate in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday.   (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

The world should get ready to welcome a new European country with Barcelona as its capital, according to separatist leaders in Catalonia. Pro-independence parties won an absolute majority in the 135-seat regional parliament on Sunday, which they say is a mandate to separate from Spain and form a Catalan nation, the BBC reports. "We ask that the world recognize the victory of Catalonia," says Catalan President Artur Mas, per the Guardian. "We have won and that gives us an enormous strength to push this project forward." A sudden declaration of independence is unlikely, according to the BBC, but the Catalans are expected to push for an independence referendum. Madrid is firmly opposed and refused to allow a binding vote last year. (More Catalonia stories.)

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