Not so popular

The victory of pro-independence parties in Catalonia’s election is a slap in the face for Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Thoseseekingindependence won enough votes to secure a majority in the regional parliament and give new momentum to their political struggle for independence from Spain.

The three pro-independence forces together took 70 seats, two above a majority required in the Catalan Parliament. It was a truly amazing result given the circumstances, with the regionalgovernmentremoved and Catalan parliament dissolved following the 1 October independence referendum. A referendum that witnessed extensive violence when Mr Rajoy deployed riot police to try to prevent people voting. With direct rule imposed by Madrid and Catalonia’s political leaders in jail and exile, Mr Rajoy was clearly doing all he could to staunch the pro-independence movement.

The Spanish Prime Minister has, however, become Spain’s answer to Theresa May. He gambled in calling an early

election to end the political crisis, a move that has clearly backfired.

Against all the odds, the prounionist coalition of parties was defeated by pro-independence parties, and Mr Rajoy’s ruling Popular Party was left with only three seats from 11 held in the previous parliament.

The Spanish Government, which initially staunchly resisted talks with the Catalan Government, must now look to sit down with it and try to resolve a situation which, despite Madrid’s best attempts, is simply not going away.

ALEX ORR

Leamington Terrace, Edinburgh