Catalan lawmakers have elected the separatist MP Roger Torrent as speaker of the regional parliament. It's thought to be the first stage of a plan by pro-independence deputies to get the sacked leader Carles Puigdemont back into power. The Catalan parliament has been meeting for the first time since it was dissolved by Madrid following a declaration of independence last year.

ERNEST MARAGALL TEMPORARY CATALAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER "Mr. Roger Torrent with 65 votes. Mr. Jose Maria Espejo with 56 and 9 blank votes. So Mr. Roger Torrent i Ramio is proclaimed speaker of the Catalan parliament."

Thousands of Catalan independence supporters gathered near the region's parliament on Wednesday. If Puigdemont is re-elected to lead the region, it's not clear if he would legally be able to take up the post without being physically present in the parliament building. He's still in Belgium and faces arrest if he returns home. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said direct rule over Catalonia will remain in force if Puigdemont is appointed regional president.