A pragmatic vote for Yes
Few are undecided on independence; although only 20% believe Catalonia would be worse off, those against refer to the unity of Spain as main reason
Beyond participation forecasts, in its polls regarding Catalan independence the Centre for Opinion Studies (CEO) asks for reasons why people will be voting or not on 1-O, providing a picture of how Catalan citizens view the ongoing process. The majority of those who say they will abstain (33% of those polled) will do so because the Spanish government has not granted permission for the referendum, with 17% saying they wish to preserve the unity of the State. Another 30% will not vote because they are disillusioned with politics (17%) or not interested (13%). Therefore, only 6.3% will abstain because they are undecided, or have no firm stance on the subject, and the same percentage because they do not see the process as a priority or viable. Similar reasons are given by those who plan to make a blank or invalid vote.
Among those who do intend to vote, their explanations are revealing. The pro-independence supporters give more plural and pragmatic reasons, and say they would vote yes above all to have greater control (26%), because they believe that Catalonia would be a better place (23%) or due to a desire to construct their own model of country (19%). Rejection of the Spanish central State is given as a main reason by 10%. On the other hand, only 8% want Catalonia to be independent for reasons of identity, or around 15% including those who see Catalonia as a nation which must be self-managed.
The main reason given by those against is purely nationalistic: to preserve the unity of Spain (51%), while only 15% say they do not see it as positive for Catalonia.