The 2017 Catalonia Election, in Photos

BARCELONA, Spain (ViaNews) - Today, voters of Catalonia headed to the polls to choose which party will lead the region of Catalonia.

2017/12/22

The anti-independence Party Ciudadanos, received the most votes of any party, which was expected. The pro-Independence parties combined (Junts per Catalunya, Esquerre Republicana de Catalunya, and Canditatura d’Unitat Popular) made up 70% of the seats. These results show that the majority of Catalonia does, in fact, support independence and now the pro-Independence parties control the majority of the Catalan government. What impact this will have on the future of the region is yet to be seen.

2017/12/21

Political party volunteer at the polling booths during the Catalonia regional election. [caption id="attachment_3434" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Political party volunteer. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] The yellow ribbon of Catalan Independence spray-painted on a wall outside of a polling booth. [caption id="attachment_3432" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Yellow ribbon of Catalan-Independence. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Spanish flag hangs from Barcelona terrace in support of Catalonia remaining part of Spain. Although, Catalan flags are more common in the city, Spanish flags can be found also. [caption id="attachment_3431" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Spanish flag. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Spray paint from the previous Independence referendum outside a polling booth.. It was the results of this referendum that led to direct rule by Spain and the snap elections of today. [caption id="attachment_3430" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Spray paint from the previous Independence referendum. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Campaign posters for Citizens–Party of the Citizenry, a center-right Spanish political party that originated in Catalonia. [caption id="attachment_3428" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Campaign posters of the Citizens Party of the Citizenry. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] A Spanish flag hangs on a terrace below a neighbor's Catalan Independence flag. [caption id="attachment_3426" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Spanish and Catalan independence flag. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Posters outside polling booths, showing Spanish police beating Catalan protesters during the recent Independence referendum. Many believe that Spain's heavy handed response during the Independence vote, has strengthened the support for Independence. [caption id="attachment_3420" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Posters outside polling booths. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Volunteer for the Esquerra Republicana Catalunya party. This party previously held government power and declared Independence for Catalonia. In response, Spain dissolved the government and declared direct rule on the region. Today's snap election was called by Spain to elect a new regional government. [caption id="attachment_3416" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Esquerra Republicana Catalunya party volunteer. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Woman placing a her vote into the ballot box during Catalonia's regional election. [caption id="attachment_3413" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Woman at the ballot box. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Envelopes where ballots for the party you are voting for are placed. [caption id="attachment_3406" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Envelopes and ballots. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Ballot for the ex-Catalan government party Esquerra Republicana Catalunya. The party and the government were stripped of their power by the government of Spain, after they declared Independence for Catalonia. Their ex-president, Carles Puigdemont, is still hiding from arrest in Brussels. [caption id="attachment_3404" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Party Esquerra Republicana Catalunya ballot. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Ballot boxes for the Catalonia regional election. [caption id="attachment_3403" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ballot boxes. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Ballots for the Catalonia regional election. Voters pick one leaflet for the party they want to vote for, put it an official envelope and place it in the ballot box. [caption id="attachment_3400" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Official envelope for the ballot box. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3401" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Voters pick one leaflet to vote for their party. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Campaign posters for Citizens–Party of the Citizenry, a center-right Spanish political party that originated in Catalonia. [caption id="attachment_3397" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Campaign posters for Citizens–Party of the Citizenry. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] Citizens of Catalonia line-up to vote for their regional government. [caption id="attachment_3395" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Citizens line-up to vote. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey[/caption]

Before the Election day

[caption id="attachment_3440" align="aligncenter" width="914"] Pro-Catalan Independence flags. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3383" align="aligncenter" width="919"] Pro-Catalan Independence demonstrators organize before regional elections. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3382" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Crowd in Barcelona supporting the split by Catalonia from Spain. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3381" align="aligncenter" width="892"] Girl with Catalonia flag. Pro-Catalan Independence demonstrators organize before regional elections. "Vote to be free" is written on the tree. Photo by: Evan McCaffrey.[/caption] ____________________ Last update: 2017/12/22 00:09 CET