What is most remarkable to me is that Rajoy did PRECISELY the worst thing he could have done. 

By sending police thugs to savagely brutalize peaceful Catalans (including women and the elderly) he guaranteed that those who might have voted 'no' stayed home and he energized those inclined to vote 'yes'.   And anyone who previously leaned toward staying must now question whether it is worth anything to stick with a country capable of such fascistic conduct.

It was such an utterly stupid move, I am compelled to think it was advised by that kneejerk authoritarian drunkard in Brussels.