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Pro-independence parties in Spain's Catalonia region have won an absolute majority in regional elections, the BBC reports.

The main separatist alliance and a smaller nationalist party won 72 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament.

However, the pro-independence parties fell just short of getting 50% of the vote, winning 1.9 million out of 4 million ballots cast.
The separatists say the victory gives them a clear mandate to form an independent Catalan state.

Spain's central government in Madrid has pledged to challenge any unilateral moves towards independence in court.

The "Junts per Si" ("Together for Yes") alliance won 62 seats. If it combines with the far-left separatist CUP party, which won 10 seats, it will be able to form a parliamentary majority.

"We have won," Catalan regional President Artus Mas told his cheering supporters late on Sunday.

After a celebration rally, the pro-independence camp's leaders said they would now proceed towards the creation of an independent Catalan state.

"We have a clear, absolute majority in the Catalan parliament to go ahead," Mr Mas said.