Pro-Catalan independence parties won a majority in the region's election on Sunday.
Artur Mas' centre-right CiU part won 50 sets out of 135 and the left-wing separatist ERC won 21.
Speaking to reporters after the election results, Mas stressed that his disappointing result - 62 seats down from last year - was a reflection of austerity cuts and not reflective of separatism.
Both the CiU and the ERC have pledged to hold an effective referendum on independence. Although said to be illegal under Spanish law at present, the parties have said they plan to circumvent this by announcing a public consultation discourse, rather than a formal referendum.
