The three pro-independence forces together make up 70 seats, two above a majority but two less than in the previous 2015 election. "The election has resolved very little," said Andrew Dowling, a specialist in Catalan history at Cardiff University in Wales. The result is a blow to Rajoy, who ousted the Catalan Cabinet and called the early election hoping to keep the separatists out of power. His ruling Popular Party had a poor showing in the Catalan election, left with only three seats in the regional assembly from 11 held in the previous parliament. An economic slowdown has been the most immediate consequence of the Catalan independence push.

Source: ABC News December 21, 2017 16:18 UTC