Catalan parliament to vote for new president on Monday
The leaders of Catalonia’s exiled separatist movement meet in Germany today to attempt once more to appoint a new Catalan president. The move comes as former President Carlos Puigdemont remains exiled in Germany for his role in last year’s failed independence vote.
Puigdemont’s rejection of his appointment by the Catalan parliament last week raises the chances that his nominated successor, political new-comer Quim Torra, will secure the role.
However, Torra’s failure yesterday to secure the necessary majority for appointment does raise the possibility that Catalonia will continue to remain without a president over the short-term. The stakes are also high for Spain, which has yet to succeed in its request for the extradition of Puigdemont from Germany, and is desperately trying to field alternative candidates.
The Catalan parliament looks set to retain its pro-independence majority, and with the potential appointment of Torra, will continue to seek a mandate for independence. With all of its independence-minded leaders in exile and four failed attempts to appoint a new leader, Catalonia’s stalemate with Madrid is likely to continue.
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