Catalans went to the polls in a referendum on giving their region increased autonomy, in a crucial test for Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero as he seeks to rally support for peace talks with Basque separatists.

The referendum enjoys wide support among Catalans and is expected to pass easily, with a recent survey indicating that close to 75 percent of Catalonia's more than 5.3 million voters are in favour of a greater say in the coastal region's affairs.

Zapatero has weighed in heavily in support and became personally involved in working out a compromise in the Spanish parliament and in the subsequent political campaigning. Together with the Basque question, the vote has become one of the most perilous political issues of his time in power.

The only opposition to the referendum comes from separatists in the wealthy northeastern territory, for whom the text does not go far enough, and from conservatives fearing a violent breakup of Spain.

Polling stations opened at 0700 GMT and were to close at 1800 GMT. The first official results are expected 90 minutes after the polls close.

Turnout shortly after 1:00 pm was 20.84 percent of the 5.2 million eligible voters, with polls predicting a final participation figure of 50-55 percent.



Posted by: Edwin    Source