Catalonia's regional election will be a close race
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Significance Two pro-independence forces and the unionist Citizens party lead the field. Whether the election will break the impasse over independence and return regional autonomy to Catalonia will depend on a complex balance of forces within the Catalan parliament and on Madrid’s response to the result. Impacts For Spain's prime minister, the elections are an attempt to restore constitutional government in Catalonia. An end to rule by a pro-independence coalition would strengthen business confidence in the Catalan and Spanish economies. The predicted improvement in the PSC-PSOE’s standing would enhance the prospects of the Socialists in the next Spanish general election.