In the early parliamentary elections in Catalonia, voters punished the separatist forces and rewarded the socialists. For the first time since 1980, the various pro-independence parties lost the absolute majority of seats in the regional parliament. The Socialists led by top candidate Salvador Illa, on the other hand, received the most votes and the most seats for the first time, but fell short of an absolute majority of 68 seats. „I am taking on the responsibility of leading this new stage,“ said Illa on election night. This means turning away from separatism.