Polling stations are ready to open their doors to over 5.5 million people across the Spanish region of Catalonia on Sunday in an election that is considered by pro-separatist parties as a proxy-vote on independence.

The campaign has been split down the middle between parties in favour or against secession from Spain.

Polls in recent weeks have given Catalan separatist parties a slight majority, which they claim gives them the authority to begin an 18-month process towards a full declaration of independence.

Madrid has warned it will block any attempt to break away from Spain in the country’s constitutional court.

On the streets of Barcelona opinion is evenly split.

One middle man in Barcelona said he was “pleased because the elections represent a genetic debt” to his family. “It’s a shame they’re not all here to see what is happening. I’m more pleased for my parents and grandparents,” he adds.

“I’m not in favour of secession,” explained one Barcelona resident. “I don’t w