Catalonia had snap elections as a result of the previous government being deposed by Madrid.

The pro-independence Catalonian parties have increased their majority with very high voter turnout.

I don’t think that this is really a referendum on independence, but it might be one on on the heavy handed response of Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, which sent in riot police to beat little old ladies. (Rajoy’s Peoples Party lost 8 of its 11 seats in this election)

Over-reaction has never been an effective response to secessionist movements.