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Centre-Right Catalan Nationalism (CiU) wins Barcelona and Girona for the first time in democractic times

May 23, 2011 12:13 PM | CNA / Gaspar Pericay Coll

'Convergència i Unió' (CiU) increases its vote share across Catalonia and becomes the leading party in number of votes. The large victory backs the Catalan Government’s controversial austerity measures. The Catalan Government and Barcelona City Council will be run by the same party, CiU. The Catalan Socialist Party loses large cities and 22% of its votes across the country. The People’s Party becomes the third party and wins in Badalona with a discourse focused on illegal immigration. ERC loses around a third of its votes but other pro Catalan independence parties gain support. The xenophobic and extreme right PxC remains marginal but increases its base and enters the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. The turnout was 55%, one point higher than in 2007. The null or spoilt vote multiplied its share by three but remains marginal.

Protest camps grow and spread across Spain claiming for “real democracy” during the last days of the electoral campaign

May 19, 2011 12:54 AM | CNA / Gaspar Pericay Coll

They call themselves “angry people”, they are fed up and they are asking for a “real democracy”, as they believe the political class has failed to represent them. Most of them are in their twenties, but there are people of all ages and backgrounds present. Since Sunday May 15th they are camping in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol Square and in Barcelona’s Catalunya Square. The movement pretends to change the political system in a peaceful way and is being organised via social networks, probably inspired by Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Politicians, in the final days of the political campaign, have asked for an understanding of the protests and have called for calm.

Catalan airline Vueling to open new operating base in Paris Orly

May 12, 2011 01:54 AM | CNA / Jordi Font

The airline Vueling, which has its main base at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, has a network of permanent operating bases, to which Paris Orly will be added if French authorities give the green light. Vueling’s Chairman, Josep Piqué, announced that a minimum of six planes will be based at France’s second airport. Across the 21 routes it has in France, the airline estimates that it will carry 26% more passengers in 2011 when compared to last year.

FC Barcelona win the Spanish League title against Llevant

May 12, 2011 01:33 AM | Jordi Clos

The most desired point (1-1). Barça are the Spanish League champions after drawing away to Llevant. Keita scored the goal that eventually secured the third consecutive title, in Guardiola’s third year as coach. There are still two matches to play, but it is mathematically impossible being overtaken Real Madrid. And now, Barça faces its next challenge: the Champions League final against Manchester United.