From CNN:
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/europe/spain-catalonia-elections/index.html
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Catalonia has its own flag and language, and various analysts say the economic crisis has brought long-simmering nationalist sentiment to the forefront.
Catalans complain of cultural repression and economic sleights by Madrid dating back centuries.
With just 16% of Spain’s population, Catalonia produces 19% of the nation’s wealth.
Catalonia argues that it sends far more in taxes to Madrid than it gets back in central government spending, and that Catalan taxes help support poorer Spanish regions.
The regions administer key public services such as health and education, and in Catalonia’s case, also the police and prisons.
>> since his conservative Convergence and Union party is forecast to take a majority, some 62 to 64 seats, in the 135-seat regional assembly, or Parliament. <<
Math skills, NBC? A majority of 135 is at least 68.
Looking at the Basques, I’m not optimistic.
It’ll probably end up as Catatonia.
Catalan independence would also trigger off a wider o'eil movement -- since Catalan, Provence etc are transition languages between CAstilian (what we call Spanish) and French (which is the northern French dialect)
With about 10% of votes counted, they are projecting the CIU will lose at least 8 seats.