Soon after, the ruling Catalan nationalist president, Artur Mas, called snap regional elections, two years early.

CNN: Catalan parliament declaration pushes self-determination

Artur Mas, head of the Catalan government, has announced a snap regional election on November 25.

CNN: Spain's next threat: Losing 20% of its economy

The next day, the current Catalan president and leader of Mr Pujol's party, Artur Mas, went to Madrid to ask for more fiscal autonomy.

BBC: Scotland politics

Artur Mas has repeatedly cited Scotland in his campaign, calling for an outright majority like that enjoyed by the SNP to ensure that a referendum happens.

BBC: Catalonia's 'bitter and personal election'

Mr Zapatero's determination to avoid general strikes is proof that he will never take a difficult decision, says Artur Mas, head of the Catalan Convergence and Union coalition.

ECONOMIST: Spain's economic woes

Artur Mas has headed Catalonia's regional executive since December 2010, when his centre-right Convergence and Union alliance defeated the Socialist Party of his predecessor, Jose Montilla, in legislative elections.

BBC: Catalonia profile

Called by president Artur Mas, of the moderate nationalist CiU, after his demands for a new fiscal pact with Madrid were rejected, this election has become both bitter and personal.

BBC: Catalonia's 'bitter and personal election'

With a complicated result in these elections, and no simple, clear mandate for the current President Artur Mas, there is more uncertainty over the political roadmap for this region and its future relationship with the rest of Spain.

BBC: A bittersweet victory for Catalonia's president