47.7% of Catalans would vote for independence, highest figure since 2014

According to an opinion poll released on the 22 July 2016 by the Centre of Opinion Studies (CEO), run by the Catalan Government, 47.7% of Catalans would vote for independence. For the first time since the 9-N symbolic vote on independence, held in 2014, the number of pro-independence supporters surpassed that of those who would oppose. Those who wanted Catalonia to continue within Spain were now 42.4%, 5 points less than in the last poll, released in March 2016.

The CEO survey also asked about voting intentions if new elections were called in the following weeks. Figures showed that governing cross-party list, pro-independence ‘Junts Pel Sï’ would win again, obtaining between 60 and 62 MPs in the Parliament; currently they held 62 seats. Alternative left alliance ‘Catalunya Sí que es Pot’ would come second, replacing Spanish Unionist ‘Ciutadans’.

• Primary Source

The Local.es, 22.07.16: Catalan separatists overtake 'remainers' for the first time http://www.thelocal.es/20160722/catalan-separatists-outnumber-remainers-for-the-first-time

ESO: Background information: Catalonia's pro-independence coalition breaks down http://www.europeansources.info/record/catalonias-pro-independence-coalition-breaks-down/

The Guardian, 27.07.16: Catalonia tells Spain it will push for secession with or without assent https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/27/catalonia-independence-spain-democratic-mandate

Catalan News Agency, 25.07.16: Mas elected President of the Catalan Democratic Party http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/mas-elected-president-of-the-catalan-democratic-party

Catalan News Agency, 26.07.16: Pro-independence associations to demonstrate in 5 different locations on Catalonia’s National Day http://www.catalannewsagency.com/politics/item/pro-independence-associations-to-demonstrate-in-5-different-locations-on-catalonia-s-national-day

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