Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he expects a new era based on dialogue will begin in Catalonia following a regional election that exposed the sharp divisions between citizens for and against independence.

Rajoy called the election held on Thursday after ousting the pro-secession government in the region, hoping to stop the movement to break away from Spain.

A block of separatist parties retained their majority in the Catalan parliament.

Rajoy said during a news conference yesterday that the election's outcome, which also gave the pro-Spain Citizens party the most votes, showed a diversity of views in Catalonia that compel the new government to abide by the law.

The prime minister said he will talk with the region's new leaders as long as they don't violate Spain's Constitution.

The previous government held an independence referendum that Spanish courts said was unconstitutional.

"I will make an effort to establish a dialogue with the Catalan government, but I will also make an offer so that the law is abided by."