Socialist candidate Salvador Illa talks with party colleagues as they wait for election results at the party headquarters in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. Catalonia is holding a regional election on Sunday whose outcome will be a test both for the strength of the separatist movement and for the policies of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa greets supporters after the announcement of the results of the elections to the Catalan parliament in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. The Socialists led by former health minister Illa won a majority of 42 seats, up from their 33 seats in 2021 when they also barely won the most votes but were unable to form a government. They will still need to earn the backing of other parties to put Illa in charge.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa waves to supporters after the announcement of the results of the elections to the Catalan parliament in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. The Socialists led by former health minister Illa won a majority of 42 seats, up from their 33 seats in 2021 when they also barely won the most votes but were unable to form a government. They will still need to earn the backing of other parties to put Illa in charge.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A man holds a ballot paper after voting during Catalonia's regional elections at a polling station, in Barcelona, Sunday, May 12, 2024. Catalonia is holding a regional election whose outcome will reverberate in Spain’s national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa talks after official results in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. The Socialists led by former health minister Illa won a majority of 42 seats, up from their 33 seats in 2021 when they also barely won the most votes but were unable to form a government. They will still need to earn the backing of other parties to put Illa in charge.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa casts his ballot at a polling station in La Roca del Valles, north of Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. Catalonia is holding a regional election on Sunday whose outcome will be a test both for the strength of the separatist movement and for the policies of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa makes a toast with members of his team and party colleagues after the announcement of the results of elections to the Catalan parliament in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. The Socialists led by former health minister Illa won a majority of 42 seats, up from their 33 seats in 2021 when they also barely won the most votes but were unable to form a government. They will still need to earn the backing of other parties to put Illa in charge.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A voter holds his puppy as he casts his ballot for Catalonia's regional elections in La Roca del Vallès, north of Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. About 6 million Catalans are casting ballots in a regional election that will test if Catalonia wants pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont back or if the wealthy region has moved on to more pressing worries.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
An early voter casts his ballot for Catalonia's regional elections in La Roca del Vallès, north of Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. About 6 million Catalans are casting ballots in a regional election that will test if Catalonia wants pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont back or if the wealthy region has moved on to more pressing worries. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Catalonia's regional President and candidate for pro-independence ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia) makes a statement after the announcement of the final results of the elections to Catalonia's regional parliament in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. Separatist parties lost their decade-long hold of power in Catalonia as the pro-union Socialist Party won the most votes in an election on Sunday. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra)
A voter prepares to cast his ballot for Catalonia's regional elections in La Roca del Vallès, north of Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. About 6 million Catalans are casting ballots in a regional election that will test if Catalonia wants pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont back or if the wealthy region has moved on to more pressing worries.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
A man, holding his 2 months son, casts his ballot for Catalonia's regional elections in La Roca del Vallès, north of Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. Catalonia is holding a regional election whose outcome will reverberate in Spain’s national politics. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa makes a toast with members of his team and party colleagues after the announcement of the results of elections to the Catalan parliament in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. The Socialists led by former health minister Illa won a majority of 42 seats, up from their 33 seats in 2021 when they also barely won the most votes but were unable to form a government. They will still need to earn the backing of other parties to put Illa in charge.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa, left, watches early results on TV with other members of the PSC ( Socialist Party of Catalonia ) at the party headquarters in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. The Socialists led by former health minister Illa won a majority of 42 seats, up from their 33 seats in 2021 when they also barely won the most votes but were unable to form a government. They will still need to earn the backing of other parties to put Illa in charge.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa, left, watches early results on TV with Barcelona's mayor Jaume Collboni, center right, campaign director Lluisa Moret, right, and other members of the PSC (Socialist Party of Catalonia) at the party headquarters in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. A total of nine parties are running and no single one is expected to come close to winning enough votes to reach the absolute majority, so deal-making will be critical. Third from left is Barcelona's Mayor Jaume Collboni (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Employees try to give directions to passengers crowded at the entrance to the platforms, at Sants train station in Barcelona, Sunday, May 12, 2024. Catalonia's commuter rail service said it was forced to shut down several train lines due to the robbery of copper cables from an installation near Barcelona. Potentially thousands of voters had trouble reaching their polling stations after Catalonia's commuter rail service had to shut down several train lines due to what officials said was the robbery of copper cables from an installation near Barcelona. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra)
Former regional president Carles Puigdemont poses for a photo during a campaign rally in Argelers, France, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. About 6 million Catalans are casting ballots in a regional election that will test if Catalonia wants pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont back or if the wealthy region has moved on to more pressing worries. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu)
Socialist candidate Salvador Illa talks with party colleagues as they wait for election results at the party headquarters in Barcelona, Sunday May 12, 2024. Catalonia is holding a regional election on Sunday whose outcome will be a test both for the strength of the separatist movement and for the policies of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)