Newly elected Catalan leader Quim Torra traveled to Berlin this week to meet with his predecessor, Carles Puigdemont, and show support for the ousted leader who led the bid for Catalonia to break away from Spain. Considered a hardline separatist, he was handpicked by Puigdemont. Torra was ultimately elected as the region's leader after a 66-to-65 vote in a second round of voting in the regional parliament -- a sign of the deep split in Catalan politics. Al Goodman reports from Barcelona.

The new regional leader of Spain's Catalonia was sworn in on Thursday in Barcelona. Journalists at the Catalan parliament watched it live on television across northeastern Spain. Quim Torra takes office five months after elections in which parties that want Catalonia's independence from Spain won a slim majority in parliament.

But Torra, a staunchly pro-independence hardliner, says his predecessor, Carles Puigdemont, who was ousted by Madrid for pushing independence, should be reinstated as president.

Coalition supporters say Torra and Puigdemont are working together.

FRANCESC DE DALMASES TOGETHER FOR CATALONIA COALITION "Together for Catalonia Coalition "Nowadays we have two presidents, one in exile and one who is in charge of the presidency of the Catalan government. So, they both are obedient to the popular mandate."

But election results show about half the Catalans don't want independence.

Torra went to see Puigdemont, who's in Berlin fighting extradition to Spain on rebellion charges.

QUIM TORRA CATALAN REGIONAL LEADER "The first goal of this government is to end the suspension of self-rule in Catalonia. We demand the Spanish government to respect the outcome of the December 21 election."

A symbol of Catalan defiance against Madrid's intervention - yellow ribbons seen everywhere. Many say it shows support for pro-independence leaders in jail and awaiting trial in Madrid or in exile in Europe, like Puigdemont.

Torra already has said publicly he's just a caretaker president. This week he called for an end to direct rule by Madrid.

AL GOODMAN BARCELONA, SPAIN "The new Catalan president was sworn in here, the headquarters of the Catalan government. But many people in Catalonia and across Spain are asking, how long will he be on the job?"

Torra says he'll ask for a meeting soon with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, but Rajoy says he'll judge the new Catalan leader on his deeds, not his words.

The Catalan Socialist Party wants Catalonia to remain in Spain. One member says Torra's attitude toward Spaniards makes a solution difficult.

ESTHER NIUBO CATALAN SOCIALIST PARTY "Our political situation will not be solved in the courts. Will need to be solved in the parliament, not only in the Catalan parliament but also in the Spanish parliament. And he has not the capacity to go there and to have like a dialogue."

Some political leaders here are already talking about calling for new elections before the end of the year. But for now, Catalonia has a new president. A political solution? Not yet.

Al Goodman, CGTN, Barcelona.