Republican and left-wing candidates won the municipal elections held on 12 April 1931. The victory achieved by Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya was overwhelming. When the results became known on 14 April, the winners' euphoria erupted. Around midday, Lluís Companys declared the Republic from the balcony of Barcelona Town Hall, followed immediately by Francesc Macià, who proclaimed the Catalan Republic from the balcony of the Palau de la Generalitat. Celebratory pro-republic demonstrations were held everywhere, and salvos were fired from Montjuïc Castle, saluting the Catalan Republic.