Only 31% of Catalans now support independence, lowest figure since 2012

A new survey has revealed that only 30.9% of Catalans believe that independence is the best type of relationship between Catalonia and Spain, the lowest figure since February 2012.

A similar number - 31.4% - favor continuing as things are, with Catalonia an Autonomous Community within Spain, while 23% back the concept of a federal Spanish state, and 7% advocate turning Catalonia into a not autonomous region.

These opinions were revealed in the latest set of responses from the CEO, the Catalan government-funded polling agency.

Support for splitting from Spain in these surveys peaked in November 2013, when 48.5% felt that it was the best way forward. This option has also been the most widely supported continuously since February 2012.

Majority of Catalans back amnesty

60% of Catalans are in favor of the amnesty law, while only around 31% are against it, the survey also revealed.

The survey was conducted between October 9 and November 7, meaning that almost all responses came before the investiture agreement between the Socialists and ERC, which was announced on November 2. All responses were given before the deal the Socialists struck with Junts. 

The majority of supporters of all parties except the conservative People's Party, Vox, and Ciudadanos are in favor of amnesty.

Socialists would win Catalan election

The Socialist Party would win the Catalan election if held today.  

The Socialists would win 39-45 seats, ahead of Esquerra Republicana (ERC) which would be left with 29-34, and Junts with 19-24.

Currently, the Socialists have 33, ERC 33 also, while Junts have 32. 

The conservative People's Party would increase their share from 3 seats to between 12-17, while left-wing En Comú Podem would raise their share slightly, from 8 to 10-14.

Far-right Vox's 11 seats would be reduced to 6-9, while far-left pro-independence CUP would have the least representation in the chamber with 4-8, down from their current 9.

Liberal Ciudadanos, which currently has 6 MPs, are expected to remain out of parliament entirely.

These results would mean that the sum of pro-independence parties, with a range of between 52 and 66 seats, would not reach a majority of 68 deputies needed.

The survey was conducted between October 9 and November 7, meaning that almost all responses came before the investiture agreement between the Socialists and ERC, which was announced on November 2.