But it is unclear what any other result would mean for the movement, including if the separatist parties win. A smaller separatist party, the far-left Popular Unity Candidacy, is also competing, even while denouncing the vote as illegitimate, complicating matters further. The most controversial aspect of the campaign has been that the leaders of the two main separatist parties have not been in Catalonia. Both Mr. Puigdemont and Mr. Junqueras have denounced the circumstances of the election, but they are expected to accept its outcome. Pollsters predict a record turnout, after politicians on both sides presented the election as a make-or-break one for Catalonia.

Source: New York Times December 21, 2017 05:23 UTC