CUP to stand in Spanish general election after 61% of members vote in favor

The far-left pro-independence party CUP is to stand in the upcoming Spanish general election on July 23. Of the 1,300 party members who voted on the issue, 61% were in favor.

The party currently holds two seats in congress in Madrid and say they are the only "clearly pro-independence and leftist" alternative. 

Spanish prime minister announced a snap general election hours after his Socialist party lost ground to the conservative People's Party in regional and local elections on May 28.

CUP also had a disappointing local election, losing 21 council seats across Catalonia, and failing to gain representation on Barcelona City Council for a second consecutive local election. 

There were some bright spots for the party, however, as they topped the poll in inland Berga and came a close second to the Socialists in the northern city of Girona, winning the same number of seats and with a good chance of ending up with the mayoral position.