Puigdemont chooses Torra

Quim Torra will be the 131st President of Catalonia. From Berlin, Carles Puigdemont yesterday announced that the publisher, lawyer and writer will succeed him in the post. Puigdemont’s choice ensures that an advocate of independence will lead the government in Catalonia during what he calls a “provisional period” of political prisoners, exiles and the threat of direct rule from Madrid.

“Honoured by the trust placed in me, I accept with responsibility and willingness to serve the country, following the request by the legitimate president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, and the rest of my colleagues at JxCat,” was Torra’s reaction.

Parliament speaker, Roger Torrent, will tomorrow conduct a round of definitive meetings with political parties before setting a date for the swearing in session, which is expected to take place on either Monday or Wednesday. As the votes of the JxCat and ERC parties do not make up an absolute majority, due to the already announced abstention of the CUP party, the investiture will go to a second round, when a simple majority will be enough to confirm Torra in the post.

Torra was in Berlin yesterday, accompanied by two of Puigdemont’s closest allies, JxCat spokeswoman, Elsa Artadi, and MP and Valls mayor, Albert Batet. JxCat says the new government will have two fronts: one the Catalan government in Barcelona, and another led by Puigdemont in exile. The plans include reinstating the maximum number of JxCat ministers possible, while ally ERC will put forward new names. Puigdemont will also create a commissioner to oversee the withdrawal of direct rule and the reinstatement of more than 250 posts dismissed from the former government.