New separatist Catalan government takes office

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Europe

00:26

Seven months of direct rule by Spain over Catalonia ended on Saturday when a new government of the region was sworn in.

The 13 councilors picked by new Catalan President Quim Torra, a close ally of ousted leader Carles Puigdemont, took the oath of office in the regional presidency in Barcelona – with some of them wearing yellow, the color that has come to symbolize the separatist cause.

Quim Torra said that he is committed to moving towards independence after nationalists regained control of Catalonia's regional government as the new cabinet was sworn in.

Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez poses for photographers after winning a no-confidence motion in the Lower House of the Spanish Parliament on June 1, 2018, in Madrid. /VCG Photo

"This government is committed to moving towards an independent state in the form of a republic," he said.

He also said that he wants to talk with new Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who was sworn in earlier on Saturday, to end a standoff between Barcelona and Madrid.

"Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, let's talk, let's address this issue, let's take risks, you and us," Quim Torra said.

A man waves a Catalan pro-independence Estelada flag outside the Generalitat Palace in Barcelona after the official swearing-in ceremony of the new Catalan president on May 17, 2018. /VCG Photo

"We need to sit down at the same table and negotiate, government to government, this situation we're going through cannot go on for even one more day."

Sanchez takes office after ousting veteran conservative leader Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote on Friday.

As opposition leader, Sanchez was sharply critical of Catalonia's secession bid.

Mariano Rajoy looks down before the voting for the no-confidence motion at the Lower House of the Spanish Parliament on June 1, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. /VCG Photo

He backed Rajoy's imposition of direct rule on the region in October after separatist leaders declared independence, but softened his tone as Catalan separatist lawmakers in the national parliament backed his no-confidence motion.

He has said he wants to "build bridges" with the new regional government.

The EU-friendly Rajoy, 63, had been in power since 2011. His ousting comes at a time of political instability in Europe, with a new eurosceptic, anti-establishment government taking office in Italy.

Sanchez has promised his "main priority" will be to respect Madrid's deficit reduction commitments to the European Union. He has also vowed to implement the 2018 budget drawn up by Rajoy's government.

Source(s): AFP