People hold up Esteladas, or Catalan separatist flags, during a demonstration to mark Catalonia's national day 'La Diada' in Barcelona, Spain, September 11, 2022.
REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBARCELONA, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Thousands of people were expected to celebrate Catalonia's National Day on Monday as the Spanish region's separatist parties appear set to play a kingmaker role in forming a national government.
In recent years, attendance at La Diada, as the National Day is known, has fallen as support for breaking away from Spain has decreased.
But with two Catalan parties poised to play a role in forming a new government, it may boost the independence cause.
In October 2017, when Puigdemont's separatist regional government held a referendum declared illegal by the Spanish courts, a CEO poll found 49% supported splitting from Spain while 43% were against.
Persons:
Nacho, Pere Aragones, Carles Puigdemont, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Isabel Rodriguez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Graham Keeley, Peter Graff
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights, La, Catalana, ERC, Socialist, People's Party, Catalan Centre, Public, Thomson
Locations:
Barcelona, Spain, Rights BARCELONA, Spanish, Catalonia, Catalan, Belgium, Catalunya