Catalonia elects Quim Torra as new leader, breaking political impasse

Further information:

After a failure on securing an absolute majority on 12 May 2018, on 14 May 2018 Quim Torra, appointed by Carles Puidgemont as his successor, was elected new prime minister of Catalonia, ending the five months of political deadlock.

Background information:

On 10 May 2018, Puidgemont, speaking from Germany, renounced leadership of the region's legislature and appointed a successor: Quim Torra, who is an MP from Mr Puigdemont's pro-independence party, Together for Catalonia (JxCat).

On Saturday 12 May 2018, the Catalan Parliament failed to elect the regional president. Torra needed 68 votes to be elected but obtained only 66. He will require only a simple majority in the next vote, expected Monday. Reaching this majority becomes easier if the radical leftist Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) party decides to abstain.

The radical party said on Sunday 13 May 2018 that it will abstain, rather than vote against Torra in the Monday 14 May election.

Politico, 14.05.18: Catalonia elects a new leader https://www.politico.eu/article/quim-torra-catalonia-elects-new-regional-president/

BBC News, 14.05.18: Catalans elect new separatist leader Quim Torra http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44109500

Reuters, 14.05.18: Catalonia parliament elects Quim Torra as new regional leader https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia/catalonia-parliament-elects-quim-torra-as-new-regional-leader-idUSKCN1IF1MJ

Euro|topics, May 2018: Catalonia: Quim Torra set to replace Puigdemont http://www.eurotopics.net/en/199311/catalonia-quim-torra-set-to-replace-puigdemont

Deutsche Welle, 10.05.18: Catalonia's Carles Puigdemont hands over leadership baton http://www.dw.com/en/catalonias-carles-puigdemont-hands-over-leadership-baton/a-43734843

BBC News, 10.05.18: Catalonia's Carles Puigdemont opts out of presidency http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44071796

The Guardian, 11.05.18: Hopes of end to Catalan impasse as Puigdemont anoints new successor https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/11/carles-puigdemont-proposes-quim-torra-successor-catalonia-government

Euronews, 12.05.18: Catalan parliament fails to elect regional president http://www.euronews.com/2018/05/12/catalan-parliament-fails-to-elect-regional-president

Politico, 12.05.18: Candidate for Catalan presidency fails at first attempt https://www.politico.eu/article/candidate-for-catalan-presidency-fails-at-first-attempt/

Politico, 13.05.18: Way clear for new Catalan president to be elected Monday https://www.politico.eu/article/way-clear-for-new-catalan-president-to-be-elected-monday/

The Guardian, 13.05.18: Pro-independence candidate set to become next Catalan president https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/13/pro-independence-candidate-set-to-become-next-catalan-president

Reuters, 13.05.18: Catalan secessionists poised to elect new regional leader in second vote https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-catalonia/catalan-secessionists-poised-to-elect-new-regional-leader-in-second-vote-idUSKCN1IE0O8

El País, 14.05.18: Quim Torra set to be sworn in today as next Catalan premier https://elpais.com/elpais/2018/05/12/inenglish/1526134019_466014.html

EurActiv, 11.05.18: Puigdemont steps down, names successor for Catalonia’s presidency https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/puigdemont-steps-down-names-successor-for-catalonias-presidency/

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