Catalonia's parliament has failed to elect a regional president by absolute majority, in its fifth attempt to form a new government in the northern Spanish region.

In Saturday's vote, candidate Quim Torra,a close ally of former leader Carles Puigdemont, was backed by 66 politicians - falling short of the 68 votes needed to be elected.

The 55-year-old, a fervent secessionist, will have another chance during a second round on Monday, when only a simple majority of more "yes" than "no" votes is required.

Catalonia's pro-independence parties risk an election being automatically triggered if they don't form a government by May 22.

Torra was handpicked by Puigdemont, who stepped aside from the running, to continue his fight with Spain's central government to achieve Catalan independence.

At the opening of the debate in the regional parliament, Torra gave a bullish speech, signalling that the secession crisis is far from over, even if Catalonia does finally get a government after months of political stalemate.

"I want it to be clear that our president is Carles Puigdemont and we will be loyal to the mandate of October 1 to build an independent state in the form of a republic," Torra said, referring to last year's outlawed independence referendum.

He promised to restore Catalonia's laws suspended by Spanish courts and start drafting a constitution for a future Catalan Republic, stressing that he would "not give up anything" and would "assume responsibility for what comes from our actions".

Puigdemont would become involved as soon as his legal situation allowed, added Torra, who also condemned the "unacceptable silence" of European institutions over the Catalan crisis.

But he did say he was "ready to talk tomorrow without conditions" with the government of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Madrid.

Rajoy quickly responded to the speech, saying: "What we saw and heard did not please us ... but we will judge his actions."

Rajoy warned that the Article 155 of the constitution, which Madrid used to impose direct rule on Catalonia, "could be used again if necessary", if the next regional leadership did not respect the law.

It remains highly likely that Torra will clinch the position in Monday's second vote.

Catalonia has been in political limbo since Spain's central government sacked Puigdemont and his cabinet and imposed direct rule on the semi-autonomous region after it unilaterally declared independence on October 27.

Regional elections were held in December, which separatist parties won again, but every leadership candidate picked by the separatist camp since has fallen flat.

Since the last elections in December, four attempts to form a government have failed because the presidential candidates were either in self-imposed exile or in custody.

Puigdemont is abroad in self-exile and faces jail if he returns, while other candidates such as civic leader Jordi Sanchez are in prison, charged with rebellion for their role in the independence drive.</s>Quim Torra needed 68 votes to be elected but obtained only 66.

They now have just ten days to form a government or face holding a new election.

But Torra has another chance in a second round of voting on Monday - as only a simple majority is needed in the regional parliament.

"Carles Puigdemont is our president. We will remain loyal to the mandate from October 1st, which is to build an independent state in the form of a Republic," Torra said after the vote.

Inés Arrimadas, the leader of Ciudadnos, the main pro-Spanish party in Catalonia, accused Torra of failing to compromise.

"He doesn't make any call to change course, any call to rectification or co-existence. He makes a call to clash, to have more confrontation," she said.

The central government in Madrid also accused Torra of being confrontational.

Catalonia has been in political limbo since December last year when pro-independence parties won early elections.

Madrid invoked special powers to take direct control of Catalonia in October after the region declared independence. The wealthy, populous region has been administered by the central government ever since.</s>Unionists dismiss Quim Torra as puppet of former president and point to controversial tweets

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The deposed Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has anointed a new candidate as his successor, raising hopes that the region could have a government as early as next week after five months of legal and political impasse.



Quim Torra, a close ally and former leader of the pro-independence grassroots group Òmnium Cultural, was announced by Puigdemont on Thursday night.

Catalonia has been without a government since the regional election in December, which was called by the Spanish government after it sacked Puigdemont’s administration in response to its independence referendum and subsequent unilateral declaration of independence.

However, the move backfired after the three secessionist parties held on to their parliamentary majority.

Attempts to form a new government have so far come to nothing. Puigdemont remains in self-imposed exile, facing possible extradition in Spain over his role in the push for independence, while two other presidential candidates – Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Turull – are still on remand.

Although Torra faces no such legal barriers, Puigdemont acknowledged that his latest candidate would not have an easy ride.



“We have the opportunity to use the [referendum] mandate and build the country of freedoms and rights that millions of people are demanding,” he tweeted on Thursday night, adding: “I personally understand the effort and sacrifice of taking office in such extreme circumstances.”

The first investiture debate will be held at noon on Saturday. However, as Torra does not have the necessary support to win an absolute majority in the subsequent vote, there will be a second debate on Monday, which requires only a simple majority for victory.

Torra said he was honoured by Puigdemont’s confidence, referring to him as “the legitimate president of Catalonia”.



His anointment was swiftly dismissed by unionist parties in Catalonia. The centre-right Citizens party, which took the largest share of the vote in the December election, described Torra as Puigdemont’s puppet and pointed out that he had written a string of controversial tweets six years ago.

Among them were: “Spaniards know only how to plunder”; “It’s been quite a while since Spaniards removed the word shame from the dictionary”, and “We’ve been living under Spanish occupation since 1714”.

The Catalan Socialist party said it would not support Torra, whom it described as one of “the most sectarian” voices in the pro-independence bloc.

Ada Colau, the mayor of Barcelona, called on Torra to apologise for his anti-Spanish remarks. “Perhaps Quim Torra is Puigdemont’s most faithful candidate, but Catalonia needs a president with a capacity for dialogue and reconciling the country,” she tweeted on Thursday.

If Torra did attend parliament to be invested, she added, he ought to begin by saying sorry for his “ethnicist” comments that were offensive to millions of Catalans.

The region will have to return to the polls in July if a government is not in place by 22 May.</s>Catalonia's most radical separatists have said they will allow candidate Quim Torra to be elected as the restive Spanish region's new leader on Monday.

The far-left CUP party decided on Sunday that their four parliament members will abstain during Monday's investiture session, which should leave Torra with more "yes" than "no" votes.

Torra's election would bring an end to the Spanish central government's takeover of regional affairs as part of a crackdown after an illegal declaration of independence by Catalonia's regional parliament in October.

Separatist parties maintained a slim majority in regional elections in December, but Spanish courts have blocked efforts to elect two separatists in jail awaiting trial and fugitive ex-chief Carles Puigdemont.

They have until May 22 to form a new government or new elections will be triggered.</s>Catalonia’s parliament has failed to elect a regional president by absolute majority, in its fifth attempt to form a new government in the northern Spanish region.

In Saturday’s vote, candidate Quim Torra, a close ally of former leader Carles Puigdemont, was backed by 66 politicians – falling short of the 68 votes needed to be elected.

The 55-year-old, a fervent secessionist, will have another chance during a second round on Monday, when only a simple majority of more “yes” than “no” votes is required.

Catalonia’s pro-independence parties risk an election being automatically triggered if they don’t form a government by May 22.

Torra was handpicked by Puigdemont, who stepped aside from the running, to continue his fight with Spain’s central government to achieve Catalan independence.

At the opening of the debate in the regional parliament, Torra gave a bullish speech, signalling that the secession crisis is far from over, even if Catalonia does finally get a government after months of political stalemate.

“I want it to be clear that our president is Carles Puigdemont and we will be loyal to the mandate of October 1 to build an independent state in the form of a republic,” Torra said, referring to last year’s outlawed independence referendum.

He promised to restore Catalonia’s laws suspended by Spanish courts and start drafting a constitution for a future Catalan Republic, stressing that he would “not give up anything” and would “assume responsibility for what comes from our actions”.

Puigdemont would become involved as soon as his legal situation allowed, added Torra, who also condemned the “unacceptable silence” of European institutions over the Catalan crisis.

But he did say he was “ready to talk tomorrow without conditions” with the government of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Madrid.

Rajoy quickly responded to the speech, saying: “What we saw and heard did not please us … but we will judge his actions.”

Rajoy warned that the Article 155 of the constitution, which Madrid used to impose direct rule on Catalonia, “could be used again if necessary”, if the next regional leadership did not respect the law.

It remains highly likely that Torra will clinch the position in Monday’s second vote.

Catalonia has been in political limbo since Spain’s central government sacked Puigdemont and his cabinet and imposed direct rule on the semi-autonomous region after it unilaterally declared independence on October 27.

Regional elections were held in December, which separatist parties won again, but every leadership candidate picked by the separatist camp since has fallen flat.

Since the last elections in December, four attempts to form a government have failed because the presidential candidates were either in self-imposed exile or in custody.

Puigdemont is abroad in self-exile and faces jail if he returns, while other candidates such as civic leader Jordi Sanchez are in prison, charged with rebellion for their role in the independence drive.</s>Barcelona: Catalonia's parliament failed to elect pro-independence candidate Quim Torra as regional president on Saturday, although the candidate handpicked by deposed leader Carles Puigdemont said he will work "tirelessly" for a split from Spain.

Following a bullish anti-Madrid speech during a debate in the Catalan parliament, Torra won 66 votes against 65, with 4 regional lawmakers abstaning in the first round of voting.

However, the same result in the second round vote scheduled for Monday would be enough for him to be elected, as only a simple majority will be required.

The 55-year-old father-of-three, is an independence advocate cut from the same cloth as Puigdemont, who is currently in exile in Germany fighting an arrest warrant and extradition request from Spain, but still exerting his influence on politics back in Catalonia.

Addressing parliament, Torra said he was "working tirelessly for the Catalan republic" and signalled that the secession crisis is far from over, even if Catalonia does finally get a government after months of political limbo.

"I want it to be clear that our president is Carles Puigdemont and we will be loyal to the mandate of 1 October to build an independent state in the form of a republic," Torra said, referring to last year's outlawed independence referendum.

He promised to restore Catalonia's laws suspended by Spanish courts and start drafting a constitution for a future Catalan Republic, stressing that he would "not give up anything" and would "assume responsibility for what comes from our actions".

Puigdemont would become involved as soon as his legal situation allowed, added Torra, who also condemned the "unacceptable silence" of European institutions over the Catalan crisis.

But he did say he was "ready to talk tomorrow without conditions" with the government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Rajoy quickly responded to the speech, saying: "What we saw and heard did not please us... but we will judge his actions." He also warned that under Article 155 of the constitution, which the government used to impose direct rule on Catalonia, "could be used again if necessary," if the next regional leadership did not respect the law.

The government also issued a statement calling Torra's speech divisive and accusing Puigdemont, in naming his successor, "of making first the interests of an individual rather than the general interest of all citizens."

The opposition accused Torra of throwing "oil on the fire".

"Independence lost a great opportunity today, (that of having) a candidate who recognises his errors," said Ines Arrimadas, leader of the centre-right Ciudadanos, the party that received the most votes in the last regional elections.

The head of the Catalan Socialist party Miquel Iceta criticised Torra for accepting to "subordinate" himself to "someone who believes he is the legitimate president", referring to Puigdemont.

Catalonia has been in political limbo since Spain's conservative central government sacked Puigdemont and his cabinet and imposed direct rule on the semi-autonomous region after it unilaterally declared independence on 27 October.

Regional elections were held in December, which separatist parties won again, but every leadership candidate picked by the separatist camp since has fallen flat. While Puigdemont faces jail if he returns home, other candidates such as civic leader Jordi Sanchez are in prison, charged with rebellion for their role in the independence drive.

Antonio Barroso, deputy research director at Teneo Intelligence, told AFP that Torra — an editor who also held high positions within pro-independence associations — will likely act as Puigdemont's "surrogate".

He will be faced with deep divisions in the separatist camp, composed of the CUP, the leftwing ERC party and Puigdemont's Together for Catalonia grouping, he added in a research note.

"The problem is that separatist parties continue to disagree on what to do next," he wrote.

"ERC wants to execute a 'moderate shift' to keep secessionist politicians out of legal troubles, avoid direct rule by Madrid, and try to garner long-term support for independence.

"In contrast, Puigdemont's strategy is to continue using every opportunity... to continue challenging the Spanish authorities and keep the secessionist momentum alive." Oriol Bartomeus, politics professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, told AFP that Torra had in his career shown "a pretty clear inclination towards the sector of the independence movement that is not really in favour of political normalisation." In March, Torra gave a rousing speech to the regional parliament calling on separatists to keep up their campaign against the central government.

"Do not think for a moment we will give up, not even a millimetre, to defend the justice, legitimacy and honourability of this cause," he thundered.</s>MADRID (AP) — Catalonia’s most radical separatists have said they will allow candidate Quim Torra to be elected as the restive Spanish region’s new leader on Monday.

The far-left CUP party decided on Sunday that their four parliament members will abstain during Monday’s investiture session, which should leave Torra with more “yes” than “no” votes.

Torra’s election would bring an end to the Spanish central government’s takeover of regional affairs as part of a crackdown after an illegal declaration of independence by Catalonia’s regional parliament in October.

Separatist parties maintained a slim majority in regional elections in December, but Spanish courts have blocked efforts to elect two separatists in jail awaiting trial and fugitive ex-chief Carles Puigdemont.

They have until May 22 to form a new government or new elections will be triggered.</s>MADRID (AP) — Catalonia’s most radical separatists have said they will allow candidate Quim Torra to be elected as the restive Spanish region’s new leader on Monday.

The far-left CUP party decided on Sunday that their four parliament members will abstain during Monday’s investiture session, which should leave Torra with more “yes” than “no” votes.

Torra’s election would bring an end to the Spanish central government’s takeover of regional affairs as part of a crackdown after an illegal declaration of independence by Catalonia’s regional parliament in October.

Separatist parties maintained a slim majority in regional elections in December, but Spanish courts have blocked efforts to elect two separatists in jail awaiting trial and fugitive ex-chief Carles Puigdemont.

They have until May 22 to form a new government or new elections will be triggered.</s>MADRID (AP) — Catalonia’s most radical separatists have said they will allow candidate Quim Torra to be elected as the restive Spanish region’s new leader on Monday.

The far-left CUP party decided on Sunday that their four parliament members will abstain during Monday’s investiture session, which should leave Torra with more “yes” than “no” votes.

Torra’s election would bring an end to the Spanish central government’s takeover of regional affairs as part of a crackdown after an illegal declaration of independence by Catalonia’s regional parliament in October.

Separatist parties maintained a slim majority in regional elections in December, but Spanish courts have blocked efforts to elect two separatists in jail awaiting trial and fugitive ex-chief Carles Puigdemont.

They have until May 22 to form a new government or new elections will be triggered.</s>Catalonia's separatists failed to elect a new leader for the restive Spanish region Saturday, most likely leaving them with one more chance to form a government before a new election is called.

Candidate Quim Torra fell short of the absolute majority of 68 votes needed to be elected in the first round. Torra, a fervent secessionist with strong anti-Spanish views, will have another chance during a second round on Monday, when only a simple majority of more "yes'' than "no'' votes is required.

Infighting among separatist parties left Torra two votes short. Four members of the radical far-left CUP party abstained.

The party plans to decide Sunday how its lawmakers will vote during the second round.

Catalonia's pro-independence parties risk an election being automatically triggered if they don't form a government by May 22.

Spanish courts blocked three previous candidates from being considered during investiture votes. Two were in jail for their roles in organizing an illegal referendum on independence for Catalonia in October.

The third blocked candidate was the region's fugitive former president, Carles Puigdemont, who is awaiting extradition from Germany on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds.

Puigdemont announced Torra as the next candidate on Thursday.

Torra spoke with defiance to Spanish authorities during his investiture speech Saturday, promising to continue the push for secession. He called Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium after he was removed from office by Spain's prime minister, the "legitimate president of Catalonia.''

Spain's central government has been running the region's affairs since its ineffective declaration of independence following last year's illegal referendum. Those powers are supposed to be returned to regional authorities once a new government is formed.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, speaking Saturday at a rally of his conservative Popular Party in southern Spain, said of Torra's speech that "we don't like what we have seen and heard very much, because we believe it doesn't represent what Catalonia needs.''

Until now, CUP has demanded that Puigdemont be re-elected even if from abroad, an option Spanish courts have prohibited. The radical party also wants a new government that will continue Spain's worst political conflict in decades in the belief that it is the only path to a new Catalan state.

"Whatever the chosen option is, it will be an option for independence and the republic,'' CUP lawmaker Carles Riera said.
Writer and radical independentist Quim Torra faces his first investiture debate after being nominated yesterday for President of the Generalitat of Catalonia. In his speech, he reaffirms to continue with the republican project, to undertake a constituent process and to be under Carles Puigdemont's directions.