Barcelona, Spain — Spain’s Socialists won the biggest share of the vote in Sunday’s Catalan elections, dealing a serious blow to more than a decade of separatist governance and the independence dreams still nursed by some in the wealthy northeastern region. Spain’s largest opposition party, the conservative People’s Party, also had a good night, seeing the biggest increase since the last vote in 2021 from three seats to 15 on Sunday. Socialist candidate Salvador Illa makes a toast with members of his team and party colleagues after the announcement of the results of the elections. Emilio Morenatti/APSpeaking as the voting count concluded, Illa hailed a “new era” for the region. Illa’s Socialists will also need to forge an agreement - most likely with the ERC - but separatist parties until now have rejected any suggestion of helping the national ruling party govern in Catalonia.

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Persons: Spain —, Salvador Illa, Junts, Esquerra, Pedro Sanchez’s, Emilio Morenatti, Illa, Pere Aragones, Carles Puigdemont, Joan Esculies, ” Organizations: Spain — Spain’s Socialists, Socialists, People’s Party, Socialist, restive, ERC, CUP, Illa’s Socialists, AC Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Sunday’s, Catalonia, restive Catalonia, Junts