Quim Torra was sworn in as Catalan president on Thursday. Photo: Alberto Estévez / POOL / AFP

New Catalonia president Quim Torra on Saturday named two former ministers, jailed by Madrid for backing independence from Spain, together with two others who fled into exile, to his regional government.

Torra appointed his government by decree but it could still be blocked by Spain, which has insisted his administration be "legal and viable" after it imposed direct rule on the region in October when the then Catalan government declared independence.

Torra named 13 "advisors" to his government, including Jordi Turull and Josep Rull, who are currently being held in custody just outside Madrid.

Two others, Toni Comin and Lluis Puig, are in exile in Belgium, where they fled with deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.

Turull and Rull both accepted their nominations on Twitter.

Torra was elected by the Catalan parliament on Monday and sworn in Thursday, in a move that marks the end of nearly seven months of political limbo in the northeastern Spanish region, which has been under direct rule from Madrid since the central government deposed Puigdemont following a failed declaration of independence on October 27.

Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence, described himself as a "caretaker president" as he awaits the return of Puigdemont, whom he considers the "legitimate" leader.

In a brief swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, Torra promised to "loyally fulfil the duties of the post of regional president being faithful to the will of the Catalan people represented by the Catalan parliament." But he did not promise to obey the Spanish Constitution nor the statute that regulates Catalonia's autonomy. He appeared flanked only by a Catalan flag, without the traditional Spanish flag and portrait of the king that protocol states must be present, in a small side-room of the regional government building in Barcelona. The Spanish government criticised Torra's choices as a "new provocation" given that "some of them are on the run from justice or in detention". A government statement said Madrid "will analyse the viability" of Torra's team -- a sign the capital will delay formalising their appointment. Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis criticised the ceremony, saying it was done "on the sly", as if Torra "were a second-rate president". And on Friday, government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo had warned that "an advisor or minister cannot exercise their duties as such while they are in prison." But Torra had written to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, requesting a meeting "without any conditions" in a gesture that observers could herald as an easing of tensions between Madrid and the separatists.

Puigdemont, who first fled to Belgium, was detained in Germany in March after Spain issued a European arrest warrant against him. Madrid wants him extradited to Spain to try him on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional.

A German court last month dismissed the extradition request for Puigdemont on the rebellion allegations and released him on bail.

Spanish prosecutors have since handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence, to justify the rebellion charge and their extradition request.</s>Estos son los ’consellers’ del Govern de Quim Torra.











Cerrar /

El president de la Generalitat, Quim Torra, ha firmado este sábado a mediodía el decreto que estructura los ámbitos del nuevo Govern y los nombramientos de los nuevos miembros del Consell Executiu.

Documento Decreto de nombramiento del nuevo Govern de Quim Torra. Ver pdf

El nuevo Govern cuenta con nueve caras nuevas -aunque dos de ellos, Ernest Maragall y Josep Bargalló ya fueron consellers del tripartito- y cuatro consellers que son "restituidos": Jordi Turull, Josep Rull, Lluís Puig y Toni Comín. En total, el nuevo Ejecutivo catalán tendrá 13 departamentos.

Esta es la composición del nuevo Govern:

Pere Aragonès

Vicepresidente y 'conseller' de Economia​ i Hisenda.

Pineda de Mar, 1982. Licenciado en Derecho por la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya y Máster en Historia Económica per la Universitat de Barcelona, el nuevo vicepresidente y conseller de Economia luce talante liberal y mente fría, como su antecesor.

Militante de ERC desde el 2000, fue secretario de Economia del Govern de la Generalitat desde enero del 2016, y diputado en el Parlament de Catalunya del 2006 al 2016.

Elsa Artadi

Portavoz y 'consellera' de Empresa i Coneixement.

Barcelona, 1976. Licenciada en Economía por la Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) y doctora en Economía por la Universidad de Harvard (Estados Unidos).

Es diputada en el Parlament de Catalunya y portavoz del grupo parlamentario de Junts per Catalunya.

Su salto en las instituciones ha sido propiciado por Puigdemont, aunque Andreu Mas-Colell y Artur Mas impusaron su carrera anteriormente.

Jordi Turull

'Conseller' de Presidència

Parets del Vallès, 1966. Licenciado en Derecho por la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB).

Ingresó en prisión el 23 de marzo, cuando se debatía su investidura.

Fue uno de los principales valedores de la estrategia de Puigdemont.

Durante la undécima legislatura, fue 'conseller' de Presidència y portavoz del Govern.

Elsa Artadi puede sustituirlo si no puede tomar posesión.

Per ser conseqüent i lleial als nostres compromisos amb els ciutadans de Catalunya, m’honora acceptar la petició del President @QuimTorraiPla de continuar essent conseller de Presidència. Per mi no quedarà dedicar-me en cos i ànima al servei de tots els catalans. pic.twitter.com/vl7c2ZVDHJ — Jordi Turull i Negre (@jorditurull) 19 de maig de 2018

Josep Rull

'Conseller' de Territori i Sostenibilitat

Terrassa, 1968. Licenciado en Derecho por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Abogado del Col·legi d’Advocats de Terrassa.

Se opuso a que Puigdemont convocara elecciones en octubre.

Fue 'conseller' de Territori i Sostenibilitat durante la undécima legislatura y fue el único que amagó con seguir trabajando tras la DUI.

Como Turull, ha pedido al Supremo que le deje tomar posesión del cargo y ejercer.

Damià Calvet podría relevarlo.

Per ser conseqüent i lleial als nostres compromisos amb la ciutadania de Catalunya, m’honora acceptar la petició del President @QuimTorraiPla de continuar essent conseller de Territori i Sostenibilitat. Em seguiré dedicant en cos i ànima al servei de tots els catalans pic.twitter.com/EVcWW9B8iL — Josep Rull i Andreu �� (@joseprull) 19 de maig de 2018

Lluís Puig

'Conseller' de Cultura

Terrassa, 1959. Tiene estudios musicales, de danza, de producción audiovisual y de Humanidades en la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.

Llegó al Govern de la undécima legislatura en julio del 2017 (poco más de tres meses antes de ser cesado) después de la renuncia de Jordi Baiget.

Ha acompañado a Puigdemont en Bruselas desde octubre, cuando salió de Catalunya.

Si no puede ejercer, es probable que lo releve Laura Borràs.

Gràcies 131 è MHP Sr Quim Torra @QuimTorraiPla per la confiança i la voluntat de restitució. Ens mantindrem per sempre fidels a la voluntat del poble de Catalunya. Gràcies 130è MHP Sr Carles Puigdemont. @KRLS per permetre fer-te costat fins on calgui . Visca Catalunya — Lluís Puig i Gordi (@PuigGordi) 19 de maig de 2018

Toni Comín

'Conseller' de Salut

Barcelona, 1971. Licenciado en Filosofía y licenciado en Ciencias Políticas por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Posgraduado y doctorado en la Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

Fue 'conseller' de Salut en la undécima legislatura por ERC después de años vinculado al PSC.

Se ha negado a renunciar al Govern, como le pidió su partido.

Joan Ignasi Elena o David Elvira, que fue su número dos en la 'conselleria', podrían sustituirlo en breve.

Gràcies @Esquerra_ERC per fer-me de nou confiança i haver proposat al MHP @QuimTorraiPla que segueixi impulsant la transformació del sistema de salut. Junts, gràcies a l'Oriol @junqueras, hem fet un camí ple de fruits i junts seguirem caminant per obtenir molts més fruits encara. — Toni Comín (@toni_comin) 19 de maig de 2018

Miquel Buch

'Conseller' de Interior

Premià de Mar, 1975. Alcalde de su municipio desde febrero del 2007 hasta diciembre del 2017 y presidente de la Associació Catalana de Municipis i Comarques desde octubre del 2011 hasta enero del 2018. También ha sido presidente del Consell de Governs Locals de Catalunya hasta el pasado enero.

Valor emergente del PDECat, cuyo peso en Junts per Catalunya está en entredicho.

Capitaneará los Mossos, en el punto de mira desde el 1-O.

Serà un honor poder treballar al servei de la democràcia i de la llibertat de Catalunya i de tots els catalans i catalanes des del @Govern al costat del president @QuimTorraiPla — ��Miquel Buch (@MiquelBuch) 19 de maig de 2018

Jordi Puigneró

'Conseller' de Polítiques Digitals i Administració Pública

Sant Cugat del Vallès, 1974. Ingeniero máster (MENG) en Sistemas de Información por la Universitat de Surrey en el Reino Unido (1992-1997).

Inició su carrera política en la Joventut Nacionalista de Catalunya (JNC), entonces vinculada a CDC y ahora al PDECat.

Lideró la oposición a la Constitución Europea en CDC.

Desde noviembre del 2013 dirige las políticas TIC del Govern de Catalunya, primero como Director General de Telecomunicacions i Societat de la Informació, i desde febrero del 2016 como Secretari de Telecomunicacions, Ciberseguretat i Societat Digital de la Generalitat de Catalunya.

Fue el encargado de contrarrestar los ataques informáticos contra el referéndum.

No asistió a la inauguración del Mobile para protestas contra la presencia del Rey.

Honorat de la confiança del MHP @QuimTorraiPla per poder servir els ciutadans de CAT amb lleialtat al MHP @Krls perquè pugui tornar aviat a la República Catalana. El meu serà un compromís personal,públic,vital, insubornable en defensa de la democràcia i la llibertat de Catalunya. — Jordi Pu1gnerO ��️ (@jordiPuignero) 19 de mayo de 2018

Ernest Maragall

'Conseller' de Acció Exterior, Relacions Institucionals i Transparència

Barcelona, 1943. Economista.

Miembro de los tripartitos cuando era dirigente del PSC. Diputado del Parlamento Europeo y diputado del Parlament de Catalunya de la VII, la VIII, la IX y la XII legislaturas (2003-2004, 2006, 2010-2012 y 2018).

Se hizo militante de ERC hace unas semanas.

Asume un campo prioritario para Torra y Puigdemont.

Rebre l’encàrrec del President @QuimTorraiPla un honor

Tenir la confiança de @Esquerra_ERC @junqueras i @martarovira un privilegi

Substituir provisionalment @raulromeva un repte impossible

Formar part del Govern de Catalunya en aquest període, una responsabilitat del tot assumida — Ernest Maragall (@ernestmaragall) 19 de mayo de 2018

Josep Bargalló

'Conseller' de Ensenyament

Torredembarra, 1958. Licenciado en Filologia Catalana por la Universitat de Barcelona y Máster en Estudis Superiors de Llengua, Literatura i Cultura Catalanes por la Universitat Rovira i Virgili.

Diputado en el Parlament de Catalunya entre 1992 hasta el 2003.

Fue número dos de Pasqual Maragall cuando Carod-Rovira dimitió en el primer tripartito. Con él ocupó la cartera que ahora recuperará.

Una gran responsabilitat el vostre encàrrec @KRLS @QuimTorraiPla @junqueras @martarovira El tirarem endavant amb fermesa i convicció. L'escola no es toca. L'educació es millora. Ho hem de fer entre tots i totes. Ho podem fer. Ho farem — Josep Bargalló Valls (@JosepBargallo) 19 de mayo de 2018

Teresa Jordà

'Consellera' de Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca i Alimentació

Ripoll, 1972. Licenciada en Historia Moderna y Contemporánea por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Alcaldesa de su ciudad entre el 2003 y el 2011.

Diputada en el Congreso por ERC desde el 2011.

Integrada en el ala izquierdista del partido y cercana a Joan Tardà.

Consellera @MeritxellSerret, amiga i companya Meritxell....gràcies, gràcies pel llegat i la feina feta, gràcies per la valentia, el coratge i l'empatia. Ho farem bé, tenim equip, tenim sector, tenim gent que estima la terra i el què en surt d'ella. Juntes #Seguirem #Gas https://t.co/1CxtlJXa9a — Teresa Jordà (@TeresaJorda) 19 de mayo de 2018

Ester Capella

'Consellera' de Justícia

La Seu d'Urgell, 1963. Licenciada en Derecho por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

Ejerció la abogacía antes de pasar a la política.

ERC la fichó para el Ayuntamiento de Barcelona en el 2007.

Diputada por Barcelona en el Congreso de los Diputados desde el 2015. Fue senadora designada por el Parlament de Catalunya en la décima legislatura.

Muy activa en la defensa de los derechos de la mujer.

Moltes gràcies! Recullo el testimoni d’un gran Conseller @CarlesMundo i ja sabeu que hi serem , com sempre ! https://t.co/FcHFPGTrrY — Ester Capella Farré (@estercapella) 19 de mayo de 2018

Chakir El Homrani

'Conseller' de Treball i Afers Socials

Barcelona, 1979. Licenciado en Sociología por la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

Militante de UGT, fue portavoz de su rama juvenit, Avalot.

Entró en el Parlament de la mano de ERC en el 2015.

Ha coordinado proyectos de mediación sociolaboral juvenil.</s>Catalonia’s new president Quim Torra on Saturday named two former ministers, jailed by Madrid for backing independence from Spain, together with two others who fled into exile, to his regional government.

Torra appointed his government by decree but it could still be blocked by Spain, which has insisted his administration be “legal and viable” after it imposed direct rule on the region in October when the then Catalan government declared independence.

Torra named 13 “advisors” to his government, including Jordi Turull and Josep Rull who are currently being held in custody just outside Madrid.

Two others, Toni Comin and Lluis Puig, are in exile in Belgium, where they fled with deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.

Turull and Rull both accepted their nominations on Twitter.

Torra was elected by the Catalan parliament on Monday and sworn in Thursday, in a move that marks the end of nearly seven months of political limbo in the northeastern Spanish region, which has been under direct rule from Madrid since the central government deposed Puigdemont following a failed declaration of independence on October 27.

Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence, described himself as a “caretaker president” as he awaits the return of Puigdemont, whom he considers the “legitimate” leader.

Puigdemont, who first fled to Belgium, was detained in Germany in March after Spain issued a European arrest warrant against him.

Madrid wants him extradited to Spain to try him on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional.

A German court last month dismissed the extradition request for Puigdemont on the rebellion allegations and released him on bail.

Spanish prosecutors have since handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence, to justify the rebellion charge and their extradition request.</s>Catalonia’s new president Quim Torra on Saturday named two former ministers, jailed by Madrid for backing independence from Spain, together with two others who fled into exile, to his regional government.

Torra appointed his government by decree, but it could still be blocked by Spain, which has insisted his administration be “legal and viable” after it imposed direct rule on the region in October when the then Catalan government declared independence.

Torra — who was elected by the Catalan parliament on Monday and sworn in on Thursday — named 13 “advisors” to his government, including Jordi Turull and Josep Rull who are currently being held in custody just outside Madrid.

Two others, Toni Comin and Lluis Puig, are in exile in Belgium, where they fled with deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.

Turull and Rull both accepted their nominations on Twitter.

Torra’s appointment marks the end of nearly seven months of political limbo in the northeastern Spanish region, which has been under direct rule from Madrid since the central government deposed Puigdemont following a failed declaration of independence on October 27.

Puigdemont is currently in Berlin awaiting potential extradition to Spain, where he faces jail on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds.

Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence and was handpicked by Puigdemont, described himself as a “caretaker president” who considers Puigdemont as the “legitimate” leader.

In a brief swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, Torra promised to “loyally fulfil the duties of the post of regional president being faithful to the will of the Catalan people represented by the Catalan parliament.”

But he did not promise to obey the Spanish Constitution nor the statute that regulates Catalonia’s autonomy.

He appeared flanked only by a Catalan flag, without the traditional Spanish flag and portrait of the king that protocol states must be present, in a small side-room of the regional government building in Barcelona.

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis criticised the ceremony, saying it was done “on the sly”, as if Torra “were a second-rate president”.

Puigdemont, who first fled to Belgium, was detained in Germany in March after Spain issued a European arrest warrant against him.

Madrid wants him extradited to Spain to face trial on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional.

A German court last month dismissed the extradition request for Puigdemont on the rebellion allegations and released him on bail.

Spanish prosecutors have since handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence, to justify the rebellion charge and their extradition request.</s>Spain's government says it is studying the "viability" of the proposal by Catalonia's separatist leader to name former lawmakers who are in jail or fugitives from justice to his new Cabinet.

Spanish government official Jose Maria Jover said in a letter to the regional Catalan government Sunday that without the central government's authorization, the four proposed Cabinet members won't be able to take their posts.

New Catalan leader Quim Torra named Jordi Turull and Josep Rull, who are both in pre-trial detention, and Antoni Comin and Lluis Puig, who are fugitives in Belgium, as proposed members of his government on Saturday.

All four were members of the previous Catalonia government and removed by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy following an illegal declaration of independence by regional lawmakers in October.
New President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Quim Torra, forms a new regional government, including the dismissed and imprisoned members Jordi Turull and Josep Rull, and "self-exiled" dismissed members Lluís Puig and Toni Comín.