POLITICO Rising level of support for Catalan independence: poll Survey shows rise in backing for independence but fall in support for parties that defend break from Spain.

Support for Catalan independence is on the increase, with more people in favor than against, a new poll found.

According to figures from the regional center for sociological research, 47.7 percent of respondents favor a split from Spain, 42.4 percent want to remain, 8.3 percent don't know and 1.6 percent didn't answer.

The center conducts regular polls on the subject. The specific question "Do you want Catalonia to become an independent state?" was introduced in December 2014. The latest survey was the first time that more people said Yes to that question than No, El País reported.

The previous survey, in March, showed the population divided on independence at roughly 45 percent each for staying and becoming independent.

However, the latest poll showed a dip in support for Catalan parties in favor of independence, which currently have an absolute majority in the Catalan parliament.