Mr. Turull was the third candidate proposed by the main separatist parties since December, when they narrowly retained their parliamentary majority in a snap election called by Mr. Rajoy.

Last October, after separatist lawmakers declared independence, Mr. Rajoy used emergency constitutional powers to oust Mr. Puigdemont’s administration and place Catalonia under direct rule from Madrid. Hoping to end the separatist challenge, Mr. Rajoy then called the election, which instead left Catalonia in a political deadlock.

Since then, Mr. Rajoy has repeatedly called on the separatists to form a new government that recognizes Spanish sovereignty and is not led by one of the politicians indicted by Spain’s judiciary. After the failed attempt to elect Mr. Turull, the separatist parties now have two months to form a government or force Catalonia to hold a new election, a possibility that Mr. Rajoy said Friday that he hoped to avoid.

The case against Catalan separatists is now led by Judge Llarena from the Supreme Court, but two other courts, one in Madrid and another in Barcelona, are also investigating officials accused of civil disobedience and other offenses, including organizing the independence referendum held last October, even after it was declared illegal by Madrid.

Prosecutors want the main Catalan politicians to stand trial before the end of the year, but it is unclear whether Spain’s judiciary will be able to force the extradition of those who have fled the country. Judge Llarena is reactivating an arrest warrant that he dropped last year against Mr. Puigdemont and other former members of his cabinet, amid concerns that courts in Belgium, where he fled, would instead soften the charges against them.

Earlier this month, Mr. Puigdemont agreed to drop his bid for re-election. But he has since continued to defend the separatist cause and has traveled this month to Switzerland and Finland to attend conferences.

After the Supreme Court ruling, protesters gathered in downtown Barcelona on Friday evening, cutting off one of the city’s main avenues. The issue of independence not only has generated a conflict with Madrid but also has split Catalan society.

In December, separatist lawmakers won 47.5 percent of the votes, but that was enough for them to keep their majority of parliamentary seats, under a system of proportional representation that favors their dominance in rural areas.</s>Barcelona: Catalonia's parliament is to hold a debate and vote on Thursday on a new candidate for regional president, Jordi Turull, who risks being disqualified from holding office over his role in the region's separatist drive.

"I will propose to the chamber that Jordi Turull be candidate for president," Catalan parliament speaker Roger Torrent told reporters late on Wednesday, just hours after Turull was summoned to appear in court on Thursday.

Turull, a former Catalan government spokesman, is under investigation over Catalonia's secession drive but remains free under bail.

He was third on ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont's "Together for Catalonia" list in December elections which saw separatist parties retain their absolute majority.

A Supreme Court judge has summoned Turull and other Catalan separatist leaders under probe on Thursday to tell them exactly what they are charged with.

According to a court document seen on Wednesday by AFP, the judge will also decide whether or not to remand Turull and the others in custody.

Puigdemont, who was sacked by Madrid after Catalan lawmakers declared independence last October. He left for Belgium, where he now lives in self-exile, and was the separatist party's first candidate to lead the region again.

But he faces arrest if he returns to Spain, and he eventually dropped his bid after Spain's Constitutional Court ruled he could not be appointed remotely.

The separatist party's second choice, Jordi Sanchez, a separatist civic leader in jail over his alleged role in Catalonia's secession drive, has also dropped his bid to lead the region, Torrent said earlier on Wednesday.</s>Raul Leroy Mireles “Tuffy” was born January 9, 1960 and departed this life and entered the gates of heaven on March 14, 2018. Raul was born in Phoenix, AZ and moved to the Yakima Valley at a young age. He was raised by his loving parents Flora Jean and Rudy Cortez. Raul was a beloved father of four beautiful daughters, Andrea Mireles, Marisela Mireles, Sirena Mireles and Ashley Mireles. He will forever be remembered by them as well as his treasured grandchildren, Jorge “Junior” Garcia, Mariah Garcia, Katalia Leal Mireles, Kalob Valerio, Arturo Ochoa, Brianna Orozco, Lexia Mireles, Julian Mireles, Alejandro Vargas, Lily Vargas, Jonah Mendoza and Mario “Rio” Mendoza, his sisters Anita Hughes and Debra Mireles, his father Rudy Cortez, his ex-wife Mary Mireles, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him.

Raul is preceded in death by his mother Jean, his sister Thelma, niece Michelle and great niece Mariah.

Raul will be remembered as a smart man, who loved listening to music, laughing, motorcycles, racing, and cars but most of all he loved his grandchildren. Raul touched the lives of many people and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. He will be deeply missed.

The Mireles family would like to thank all who have shown love and support. They would also like to extend a special thank you to Maria Gil for all of her help. Friends and family are invited to attend a viewing on Friday March 23, 2018 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM and a Funeral Service March 24, 2018 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 531 S. 16th St., Sunnyside, WA 98944.The funeral service will be followed with food and drinks. Raul will be placed at Mabton Cemetery following services. Memorial donations may be made to
The judge remands Jordi Turull, Josep Rull, Carme Forcadell, Dolors Bassa and Raul Romeva into custody again.