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Catalonia's Push for Independence Falls Short of Majority

Separatists groups control regional assembly with 48% of vote
Rajoy's PP drops to fifth as Ciudadanos draws unionist support

Bloomberg business news — Catalans 'Back' President's Vision for Independence

By

Esteban Duarte and

September 27, 2015, 6:19 PM UTCUpdated onSeptember 27, 2015, 9:26 PM UTC

Catalonia’s pro-independence parties fell short of a majority of votes in Sunday’s regional election, denting their attempt to break away from Spain and create a new European state.

The Junts pel Si alliance backed by President Artur Mas and an anti-capitalist party CUP, which also backs independence, had 48 percent of the vote with 96 percent of ballots counted. With separatist parties set to wield a majority in the 135-seat assembly, Mas said the result gave those backing independence a mandate to press ahead with their campaign.