Caution to the wind for O-1 referendum
Puigdemont implements a cabinet reshuffle with unquestionable replacements as referendum approaches
Ignoring all risks, Carles Puigdemont promised yesterday that the government will organise a referendum on 1-O. The President of the Generalitat accepted the resignation of three ministers as well as the cabinet secretary, all members on PDeCAT, in the areas most directly related to the vote, and replaced them with unflinching supporters of the process willing to accept disqualification for office as well as personal liability it necessary.
The previous leader of the parliamentary group of JxSí Jordi Turull, took office as Minister of the Presidency and spokesman, replacing Neus Munté; Joaquim Forn, until yesterday the spokesman for the PDeCAT in the Barcelona City Council took over from Jordi Jané in Interior; and the independent economist Clara Ponsetí replaced Meritxell Ruíz in Education and the right-hand man of Carles Viver Pi-Sunyer, Víctor Cullell, replaced Joan Vidal de Ciurana as Cabinet Secretary.
Pressure from former CiU stalwarts to involve ERC in the replacements failed to have any impact on the reshuffle. The Republicans however did assert the unconditional loyalty to the process and leader Oriol Junqueras will take responsibility for duties previously assigned to Meritxell Borràs. Puigdemont will lead an inter-party commission overseeing the lead up to the vote. The first move will be the purchase of urns which will begin next Thursday in the name of all cabinet members.
Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy classed the reshuffle as a “purge” coming from the radical sector of the Catalan government.
Generalitat President Carles Puigdemont praised the outgoing member of the cabinet for their work and said that he had no reason to seek their replacement but respected their decisions.