BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Catalonian residents lined up at the polls Sunday in an election that may determine if the region will break from Spain and create a new European state.
Officially the vote is to decide on a new regional parliament, but is being considered a quasi-referendum on whether the wealthy region should declare its independence from Spain. The pro-independence candidates known as Together for Yes said if a majority 135 seats are won, they will take the necessary steps to make Catalonia a new European nation within 18 months. Voting will continue until 8 p.m. local time.