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Men chat underneath a Catalonia Pro-Independence banner on Nov. 20 in Vic, Spain. Over 5 million Catalans will be voting in Parliamentary elections on Nov. 25.

Reuters -- Spain's wealthy but financially troubled region of Catalonia chooses a new government on Sunday in an election that could trigger a constitutional crisis over a resurgent Catalan breakaway movement.

Opinion polls show most Catalans will vote for pro-independence parties, either from the left or right, handing their leader a mandate to hold a referendum on succession, despite strong resistance from the Spanish government.

The secessionist threat is a major problem for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy who is trying to show stability and fiscal responsibility in his fight to keep Spain in the euro currency zone and avoid an international bailout, despite a savage recession. Read the full story.

Related content:

• Massive anti-tax protest in Spain's Catalonia
• Violence erupts at austerity demonstrations across Europe
• Telefonica employees strike in Barcelona
• Spanish gypsies lament after homes demolished

Emilio Morenatti / AP

Demonstrators wave Catalan flags during a protest rally in Barcelona, Spain, Sept. 11, 2012.

AP reports — Tens of thousands of people angered by Spain's financial crisis are protesting in Barcelona on the Catalonia region's 'National Day," claiming they pay more than their fair share in taxes to the federal government in Madrid. Full story…

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Supporters of independence for Catalonia demonstrate on Sept. 11, in Barcelona.

Jose Colon / AP

Left-wing demonstrators burn a Spanish and French flag on top of a stage following a protest rally in Barcelona, Sept. 11.

David Ramos / Getty Images

A woman holds a banner during a demonstration calling for independence during Catalonia's National Day on Sept. 11, in Barcelona.

Ferran Estrada Porta, 79, wearing the traditional 'barretina' hat and holding a Catalan flag, plays his trumpet on the street in Barcelona, Sept. 11.

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Toni Garriga / EPA

The world's biggest 'caganer' exhibited in a Barcelona mall in Catalonia, Spain on Thursday. The statue is six meters high. The 'caganer' is a Catalonian traditional Christmas decoration that dates to the eighteenth century, when it was believed that putting the figure in the Christmas Cribs would bring good luck and bring rich crops for the next year. Over the course of the time, the original character of the defecating peasant was replaced with personalities and famous people.

When Mish Whalen posted a collection of pictures of these statuettes here recently, I was surprised. When I saw this picture of a multi-story-tall poop statue in a mall at Christmas-time, I was flabbergasted.

Previously on Photoblog: Spanish Christmas tradition features feces of the famous

Statuettes (called caganers) of well-known people defecating are a strong Christmas tradition in Catalonia, Spain dating back to the 18th century as Catalonians hide them in Christmas Nativity scenes and invite friends to find them. The figures symbolize fertilization, hope and prosperity for the coming year.

See more caganers below and more on this interesting tradition here.

Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

Michael Jackson

Luis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

Spongebob Squarepants

Luis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

Albert Einstein

Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

Elvis Presley

Luis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

Ceramic figurines of Pope Benedict XVI called caganers on November 17, 2010.

Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II

Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images

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