THE Spanish Socialist Party scored a historic result in regional elections in Catalonia on Sunday.

The victory over the region’s separatist parties comes six years after Spain was plunged into its worst political crisis in decades.

The four pro-independence parties, led by the Together party of former regional president Carles Puigdemont, were set to win a total of 61 seats — short of the key figure of 68 seats needed for a majority in the chamber.

The Socialists, led by former health minister Salvador Illa, savoured their best result in a Catalan election, claiming 42 seats, up from 33 in 2021, when they also barely won the most votes but were unable to form a government. 

This was the first time the Socialists led a Catalan election in both votes and seats won.

Mr Illa told supporters at a rally: “Catalonia has decided to open a new era. 

“Catalan voters have decided that the Socialist Party will lead this new era, and it is my intention to become Catalonia’s next president.”

The Socialists will need to earn the backing of other parties to put Mr Illa in charge including the support of left-wing separatists. 

Separatists have held the regional government in Barcelona since 2012 and had won majorities in four consecutive regional elections.