A lose-lose situation for Spain.

Catalonia has the same GDP as Finland & Portugal.

But Spain would be severely damaged if it loses the 30% of GDP Catalonia contributes to the Spanish economy.

Not allowing Catalonia to vote looks really bad;  if even 10% of Catalonians vote and the secessionists win, then the Catalonian assembly will consider that vote to be legally binding for separating from Spain.

Anyone helping with the voting could be fined €300,000 and jailed.

The Spanish armed police are taking ballots and closing places ordinarily used for voting.

This controversy will make both the separatists and unionists more entrenched and bitter toward each other.

It hearkens back to 1937-39.

Very sad development for such a nice part of the world.