Pro-independence parties won a clear majority in Catalonia's parliamentary elections on Sunday.
"Catalans have voted yes to independence [from Spain]," acting regional government head Artur Mas told supporters adding that a "democratic mandate" now existed to move forward with independence.
The regional election has been anticipated by observers as a de facto referendum on independence.
The main seccessionist coalition, Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) won 62 seats while the pro-independence leftist CUP party won 10, out of a total of 135 seats.
The election registered a record voter turn out of 78 percent.