Mas said Sunday that "we won," adding that "there are two victories tonight, one for 'Yes' and another for democracy." Mas spoke to a jubilant crowd, who interrupted him with cheers and chants for "independence!"
Secessionists have long pushed for an independence referendum, but Spain's central government refused to allow it — saying such a vote would be unconstitutional. So the pro-independence parties pitched the vote for regional parliamentary seats as a de facto plebiscite.
