This is what happens when un-elected douchebags are put in chart of a super-state like the EU. The British really kicked the EU in the teeth with their Brexit vote, and that event set a massive precedent that will echo within the EU for decades to come.
Catalonia can survive without Spain, but Spain will take a big financial hit if they allow the Catalans to split off on their own. This is about money and everyone knows it.
Brexit and Trump set this thing up beautifully. The EU thought they were out of the woods with the French and Dutch elections... but now, they are really in deep shit. I heard Merkel came out in favor of the vote, after the optics forced her to and the vote came out 89-11.
What a cockroach she is.