Among those parties opposed to Catalan independence, Ciudadanos emerged as the only winner.

They garnered 18 percent of the vote – a substantial jump for the pro-marketeers – making them the second biggest party in the region.

Inés Arrimadas, Ciudadanos candidate in Catalonia told supporters that the regional president had got it all wrong:

“Artur Mas called these elections because he said that most of Catalonia was with him but the majority of Catalans have given him the cold shoulder and we’re opting for coexistence.”

Both Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s Popular Party (PP) and the opposition Socialists faired badly in Sundays poll. The centre-right government says and talk of independence is nonsense and unconstitutional.

Pablo Casado -Popular Party Deputy-Head of Communications played down the repercussions of the election result.

“Spain will continue united. Obviously there will be discussions but they will be about how to create prosperity and not about c