Polls differ on level of support for Catalan self-rule

The latest opinion polls show that a majority of Catalans are in favor of holding a referendum on self-rule for the region, but the outcome of any eventual consultation is not quite so clear. According to a survey by the Center for Sociological Investigations (CIS) released in June, the percentage of those questioned as to whether Catalonia should be allowed to "convert itself into an independent state" who answered yes was 40.66 percent, up three points from a previous poll by the CIS.

Another 25.6 percent said they believe Catalonia should remain within Spain but with a greater degree of home rule; 17.6 percent said they wanted the situation to remain as it is; while 3.4 percent said they favored reducing the powers the region already enjoys. A further 9.1 percent said they wanted to see a centralized state without regions.

A survey published last month by the Catalan government's own Center of Opinion Studies showed support for independence remained steady at 54.7 percent of those polled. The figure in a previous poll in February was exactly the same, with a figure of 55.6 percent recorded in the results of a survey released in June.

The four parties that agreed the details of the referendum would win seven out of every 10 votes cast if regional elections were to be held now. Maintaining the status quo in Spain would also receive the support of one out every five Catalans.

A survey carried out by Metroscopia for EL PAÍS on November 3 showed a majority of Catalans favored secession if asked to choose between independence and leaving things as they are.