A pro-unity demonstration in Barcelona on October 29, 2017. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The poll showed that 71% of respondents would prefer politicians to find an agreement based on Catalonia remaining part of Spain. Unionist parties and Catalan separatist parties are both forecast to win 46% of the vote. Turnout for the election is predicted to reach a record 80%.

A political crisis broke out in Spain after Catalans voted in an illegal independence referendum last month. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy suspended Catalonia’s Statute of Autonomy, dissolved its parliament and regional government, and announced regional elections on December 21.