Catalan voters have backed plans to give their region greater independence from Madrid.
Around 75% of voters backed the autonomy plans in a referendum held in the region, results showed.
The result means Catalonia, in the north-east, will become one of Europe's most independent regions.
The plan includes giving Catalans more tax revenues and a greater say over how that money is spent, as well as more control over airports and immigration.
It was backed by the Spanish government, Catalonia's ruling Socialists and moderate nationalists - but opposed by both the conservative Popular Party and by leftists who favoured outright independence.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5091572.stmThis is something a lot of people have been watching for ... as national gov'ts give up much of their sovereignty to the EU, will fractious regions which have been barely held in check agitate for independence? The big question (and mentioned in the article) is the Basques. Modern Spain, France, Italy, and Germany were all formed by amalgamation of smaller provinces, often not very willingly. Under the EU, these smaller regions might actually become more independent of the 'middle level' national govt's. While there is potential for violence and rebellion, there is also a lot of opportunity to relieve tensions peacefully. It will be interesting to watch. For some of the 'stateless' languages/cultures, it may mean a new promise of survival.