Post Mock Poll, Central and Regional Authorities to try Dialogue in Spain

Almost two years after embarking on a political-cum-legal battle over the fate of Catalonia, Spain's central government and the regional authorities are planning to hold a dialogue with regard to the disputed independence vote.

Catalonia is one of Spain's richest and most highly industrialised regions. It contributes a major portion to Spain's economy, however, it receives relatively lesser funds.

The Pyrenean mountains separate Catalonia from southern France, with which it has close historical ties. Most of the region's population resides in Barcelona.

Spain's Prime Minister Marino Rajoy agreed to talk about a new way to finance the country's 17 autonomous communities along with a reform of the constitution. 

Spanish media and those who took to the streets of Catalonia's capital Barcelona Monday morning voiced support for such a dialogue, Reuters reports.

A mock poll conducted Sunday shows that 80 percent of more than two million Catalans voted in favour of independence.

Out of Catalonia's 7.5 million citizens, 5.4 million are eligible voters. Catalan leader Artur Mas said the result was "a great success" and is expected to make way for a formal referendum.  

"We have earned the right to a referendum. Once again Catalonia has shown that it wants to rule itself," he told supporters, BBC reports.

Catalans have defied all legal and political objections from Madrid in a bid to break away from the rest of Spain.

Spain's Constitutional Court suspended plans for an official referendum for independence after the central government challenged that such a referendum was unconstitutional, NBC News reports.

"Catalonia has made a constitutional reform more urgent," said party leader Pedro Sanchez.