The cabinet led by Quim Torra, a close aide to former Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont, took over on the day Socialist Pedro Sanchez, who has said he wants talks on Catalonia but opposes any independence referendum, was officially sworn in as new Spanish prime minister. The swearing-in will automatically bring an end to Madrid's direct rule over the wealthy, northeastern region of Catalonia, imposed in October after a failed bid to break away from Spain.
The new Catalan regional government takes office in Barcelona. The 7-month-long application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution is thus lifted, meaning that direct rule is over.