Over one million Catalans voted on independence , defying decisions by Spain 's highest court . The result heavily favors independence , but Madrid says symbolic vote was a ` ` farce '' Catalan secessionists have held massive street demonstrations in recent years . Although Scots voted to remain in the United Kingdom , many Catalans insisted Madrid should let them vote , too , as London had done for Scotland . The Spanish government says the constitution does n't allow the region to unilaterally leave .
Over one million Catalans voted on independence , defying decisions by Spain 's highest court . The result heavily favors independence , but Madrid says symbolic vote was a ` ` farce '' Catalan secessionists have held massive street demonstrations in recent years . The Spanish government says the constitution does n't allow the region to unilaterally leave .