Catalonia statehood bid falters

Catalonia’s fight for statehood and a historic divorce from Spain floundered yesterday after a snap election left no single party in command.

Pro-sovereignty parties from right and left emerged with a combined majority, but the prospects of them joining in battle for a new nation were deeply uncertain.

That could be good news for prime minister Mariano Rajoy, who has vowed to block any break-up of Spain, saying it flouts the constitution and flies in the face of common sense.

He is demanding unity as he ponders seeking a bailout and struggles to overcome recession.