The Catalan government said Monday a total of 2.3 million people had taken part in the vote, surpassing its initial estimate of 2.25 million, despite legal challenges and objections from the central government. The vast majority of those who took part, 80.7 percent, voted for independence.This vote, which has no legal standing, was taken by the Catalan government to gauge public support for independence. Based on the result, expect them to pursue further steps in the direction of independence.
The Catalans got a very different outcome than did the Scots in August, who turned down independence from the U.K. Perhaps the Basques should try this "popular will" approach to separation from Spain.
