The Catalan government chief Artur Mas deliberated with senior politicians the possibility of holding early elections after a symbolic independence vote that took place over the weekend.

Mas discussed the issue with Oriole Junqueras, the head of the left-wing opposition Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) which supports his government.

"We must take a step forward as soon as possible," Junqueras said after his talks with Mas.