Catalonia lost its independence in 1714 to the army of Philip V of Spain, and many separatists here believe it is now or never to try and win it back.
However since a referendum unrecognised by Madrid in 2014 only saw two-fifths of electors turn out, the movement has been flagging, so a poor result on the 27th might be a death blow, at least in the immediate future.
Catalonia accounts for nearly one-fifth of Spain’s output and population.
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