Only 15% of Catalans Believe Region May Become Independent From Spain - Poll

MADRID (Sputnik) — Only 15 percent of the Catalans believe that the autonomous region may become independent from Spain, a fresh poll showed on Monday. 

At the same time, over 28 percent of respondents would like "the process of gaining sovereignty" to end with the proclamation of independence, according to the results of the GAD3 survey published in La Vanguardia newspaper.

More than 36 percent of respondents are interested in the conflict being resolved through negotiations between the central authorities and the Catalan government, but only 21 percent believe in this possibility.

READ MORE: Catalan Pro-Independence Parties May Win Regional Election — Poll

Nearly 68 percent of the Catalans agree that the process of gaining sovereignty has led to a split in the society, and 61 percent realize that proclamation of Catalonia's independence will lead to the loss of EU membership for the region.

In late October, the Catalan parliament adopted a resolution on the region’s independence from Spain. Madrid responded by invoking the Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, introducing direct rule over Catalonia. Catalan President Carles Puigdemont was dismissed and fled to Belgium, together with four other ministers.

On Friday, Spain issued a European arrest warrant for Puigdemont and the four ministers. The officials are facing charges of organizing an uprising and embezzling state funds.