Euphoria reigned in many parts of Barcelona and the surrounding region of Catalonia on Monday , a day after 1.6 million people there cast symbolic votes to secede from Spain . But the sentiment for Catalan independence was not shared in Madrid , where there was skepticism , as Spain 's Justice Minister called the straw vote a `` farce '' without any democratic validity . Even after more than 2 million Catalans voted on Sunday , defying two decisions by Spain 's highest court that it was illegal to cast a ballot on independence , the two entrenched sides -- the Catalan government in Spain 's second largest city of Barcelona and the Spanish government in the capital , Madrid -- seemed no closer to solving the thorny issue . Catalan secessionists have staged massive street demonstrations in recent years , and they picked up more steam in September around Scotland 's referendum on independence . Although Scots voted to remain in the United Kingdom , many Catalans insisted Madrid should let them vote , too , as London had done for Scotland . But the Spanish government insists that the constitution does not permit just one of Spain 's 17 regions , such as Catalonia , to unilaterally secede . None of that mattered on Sunday to many in Catalonia , in northeast Spain , where the regional government , backed by 40,000 volunteers instead of regular election officials , staged the symbolic vote . The result was heavily in favor of independence , but analysts said many who opposed secession simply did n't bother to vote , since it was non-binding . Turnout was about 32 % , far lower than the nearly 70 % who voted in regional , binding , parliamentary elections two years ago . Catalonia represents about 20 % of Spain 's economy and already has broad home-rule powers , including its own parliament , police force and control over education and health . The region also has a long list of grievances with Madrid , including over taxation . The Catalan president , Artur Mas , on Sunday called on Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to negotiate a `` definitive '' referendum . But Rajoy said earlier in the weekend that he could only talk within the bounds of the Spanish constitution and law . With the two leaders seemingly at loggerheads , some analysts predicted the real talks would be about more home rule for Catalonia , . Others said the crisis could mean early regional elections in Catalonia , where polls indicate that a party even more devoted to secession than the one currently in power would win .
Over 2 million Catalans voted on Sunday , defying decisions by Spain 's highest court . The result heavily favors independence , but Madrid says symbolic vote was a `` farce '' Catalan secessionists have staged massive street demonstrations in recent years . The Spanish government says the constitution does n't allow one region to unilaterally secede .