Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament today wrote to Convergencia i Unió Party leader, Artur Mas, to congratulate him on a stunning electoral victory last night in the Catalan national polls in which CiU took 38.5% of the vote which translates into 62 of the 135 seats in the parliamentary chamber. Although not an absolute majority, the result secures CiU as by far the largest party in Catalonia and will deliver the presidency of the Catalan Government to Artur Mas.

"This is truly a convincing victory for CiU, a member party of the European Liberal family. I congratulate Artur Mas and his colleagues on the tremendous result in obtaining the support of almost 1.2 million voters in Catalonia."

"Spain, like most European countries is facing testing economic times. It is only by pulling together in a common economic strategy that European nations can exit successfully from the present crisis. I am sure that CiU will play its part in building a stronger Europe based on sound economic fundamentals, a competitive business environment and a vibrant labour market."
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