![Emilio Morenatti Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez applauds the socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, left, during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/e8274026367e4354be66d2043f0e939e/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez applauds the socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, left, during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of fugitive former regional president Carles Puigdemont in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Carles Puidgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/65744ba8595d4e9b840d474401f687b6/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of fugitive former regional president Carles Puigdemont in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Carles Puidgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti Supporters react during a campaign rally of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/cbb6341703bc4c7f8c0acabd0c6e65fa/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Supporters react during a campaign rally of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, right, wave to the crowd during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/b40d160bdbe749e9aa239ad4a5c3b980/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, right, wave to the crowd during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Joan Mateu Former regional president Carles Puigdemont applauds during a campaign rally in Argelers, France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/13b8c33787c847f5842a7317b994b7ab/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Former regional president Carles Puigdemont applauds during a campaign rally in Argelers, France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)
![Joan Mateu Supporters of Catalonia's former regional president Carles Puigdemont react during a campaign rally in Argelers, France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Carles Puidgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/25deddbb9fde44b2882152113d513a0c/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Supporters of Catalonia's former regional president Carles Puigdemont react during a campaign rally in Argelers, France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Carles Puidgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)
![Emilio Morenatti Socialist candidate Salvador Illa waves to the crowd next to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S·nchez during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/3137de36d16447c3bc98136de23f2006/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa waves to the crowd next to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro S·nchez during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, center, greet supporters during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/7baa6af585034d9d967e5eb34c437cab/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, center, greet supporters during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti Socialist candidate Salvador Illa arrives for a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/e65c551fad4a4b4187f13cf85923f346/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa arrives for a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Joan Mateu A supporter of Catalonia's former regional president Carles Puigdemont holds a "estelada" or Independence flag, during a campaign rally in Argelers, France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Carles Puidgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/59a89a6b6a4c42eabf9849f241d4b0fb/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
A supporter of Catalonia's former regional president Carles Puigdemont holds a "estelada" or Independence flag, during a campaign rally in Argelers, France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Carles Puidgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)
![Emilio Morenatti People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of Catalan president and ERC candidate Pere Aragonès in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/e73b4b95e4354cef958c6f5e2c01fbcf/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of Catalan president and ERC candidate Pere Aragonès in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of Catalonia's former regional president Carles Puigdemont in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Carles Puigdgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/95c28c21d3dd45828c345d4f5cd1a253/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of Catalonia's former regional president Carles Puigdemont in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Carles Puigdgemont, Catalonia's fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday's critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of Catalan president and ERC candidate Pere Aragonès in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/0c8bb96fcde74a36b716a63f9cf02f78/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
People walk past electoral posters showing a portrait of Catalan president and ERC candidate Pere Aragonès in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
![Emilio Morenatti Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, left, wave to the crowd during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)](https://mapi.associatedpress.com/v2/items/0b8c0da8b3b8440b9db49d92ae9e3778/preview/preview.jpg?s=680x)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and socialist candidate, Salvador Illa, left, wave to the crowd during a campaign rally in Villanova i la Gertru, near Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Some nearly 6 million Catalans are called to cast ballots in regional elections on Sunday that will surely have reverberations in Spain's national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)