The vast majority of voters came out in favor of splitting from Spain in an informal, non-binding vote yesterday. Now Catalan leader Artur Mas is expected to put further pressure on Madrid for a binding referendum.
A non-binding, symbolic referendum in Catalonia saw over 80% of voters in the region come out in favor of independence from Spain, according to officials.
A pro-Catalan independence flag (right), known as the "Estelada;" hangs from a balcony in central Barcelona on November 9.
Paul Hanna / Reuters
Four out of five of the 2 million Catalans who voted (an estimated 5.4 million were eligible to vote) said they wanted to break away from Madrid, which will put pressure on the Spanish government to announce a binding referendum.
People queue in a polling station to cast their ballot in a symbolic independence vote in Barcelona on Nov. 9.
Albert Gea / Reuters
Sunday's vote went ahead despite Spain's constitutional court ruling out a formal ballot.
People hold placards to form a giant Estelada, or Catalan separatist flag, in front of the Sant Feliu del Llobregat townhall, near Barcelona Feb. 16, 2014.
Albert Gea / Reuters
Catalan leader Artur Mas said the vote was "a great success," and that the region had "earned the right" to a formal vote. He said it marked "a lesson in democracy, spelled out in capital letters."
Catalan President Artur Mas holds up his ballot before casting it during a symbolic independence vote in Barcelona, Nov. 9.
Paul Hanna / Reuters
from BuzzFeed - Breaking http://ift.tt/1ypOjlq
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