Catalonia Goes To The Polls With Separatists Expected To Win

ABC News (Australia): Catalonia election: Separatists expected to win historic regional election in Spain's Catalonia

Catalans have voted in an election seen as crucial for Spain's future, with opinion polls pointing to a win by separatists who vow to declare the region independent by 2017.

The drive to break the rich north-eastern region away from Spain and create a new state in Europe has prompted a fierce standoff with the Spanish government.

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy urged voters to return Catalonia to "normality" after three years of mounting separatist tension.

"There is a majority of Catalans who love their people and love their land, and do not want to see it amputated from Spain and from Europe," he told supporters.

WNU Editor: The results are probably already known. Go here for up to date news and results.

More News On The Elections In Catalonia

Catalonia votes in regional elections -- BBC
Catalonia polls open with separatists tipped to win -- France 24
Catalonia Voters Decide on Push for Independence From Spain -- AP
Catalonia separatists vote in push for independence from Spain -- CBC/Reuters
Pro-separatist bloc expected to win Catalonia vote -- Euronews
Spain's Catalonia votes in crucial elections -- Al Jazeera
Catalonia votes in regional elections decisive for independence -- Deutsche Welle
Catalans head to parliamentary polls in new effort toward secession -- RT
Spain's Catalonia holds regional elections with independence in play -- FOX News/EFE
What the Catalonian Election Means for Spain and Europe -- Sputnik
Why Catalonia matters to Spain: the numbers -- AFP
Key dates in Catalonia's bid for independence -- AFP