Catalonia's regional parliament has passed a non-binding motion voicing its concerns against the monarchy after Spain's former king Juan Carlos disappeared amid various scandals.

The three separatists parties have denied to recognize&nbsp;King Felipe VI, the serving monarch as a leader. The parties&nbsp;voted in favor of the motion which criticises&nbsp;the decision of Juan Carlos to go into exile without any discussions, especially amid controversies.

The representatives passed a proposal of&nbsp;“Catalonia is a republic and does not want a king” by 69 votes in favor and 65 against.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spains-ex-king-juan-carlos-is-in-abu-dhabi-media-reports-318844">Also read|&nbsp;Spain's ex-king Juan Carlos is in Abu Dhabi: Media reports</a>

“Neither Spaniards nor Catalans deserve such a loud and ridiculous scandal on an international scale,” Catalan leader Quim Torra told the regional parliament in a special session that he called to discuss the monarchy.

the 82-year-old left the country few days ago to an undisclosed location, and since then the Spanish and international media has been guessing his location — some of which have been&nbsp;Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Abu Dhabi. The only confirmed thing till now is that the ex-Spanish monarch left the country on a private jet on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spains-former-king-juan-carlos-flees-the-country-318186">Also read|&nbsp;Spain's former king Juan Carlos flees the country</a>

“We Catalans do not have a king and we do not want one,” Torra said. “What authority will we have to enforce the rules against corruption if we accept a royal family that escapes when they are investigated after taking millions and millions of euros in terrible business commissions?”

Catalans have been looking for an opportunity to establish Catalonia Republic, and this has provided them with one of the best times to voice their opinion.&nbsp;

Juan Carlos had been under fire in Spain and Switzerland over suspicions surrounding a multi-billion high-speed Saudi train contract won by Spanish firms, all of the allegations that had been declined by Carlos' representative.

Catalonia's regional parliament has passed a non-binding motion voicing its concerns against the monarchy after Spain's former king Juan Carlos disappeared amid various scandals.

Catalonia's regional parliament has passed a non-binding motion voicing its concerns against the monarchy after Spain's former king Juan Carlos disappeared amid various scandals. The three separatists parties have denied to recognize King Felipe VI, the serving monarch as a leader. The parties voted in favor of the motion which criticises the decision of Juan Carlos to go into exile without any discussions, especially amid controversies. The representatives passed a proposal of “Catalonia is a republic and does not want a king” by 69 votes in favor and 65 against. Also read| Spain's ex-king Juan Carlos is in Abu Dhabi: Media reports “Neither Spaniards nor Catalans deserve such a loud and ridiculous scandal on an international scale,” Catalan leader Quim Torra told the regional parliament in a special session that he called to discuss the monarchy. the 82-year-old left the country few days ago to an undisclosed location, and since then the Spanish and international media has been guessing his location — some of which have been Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Abu Dhabi. The only confirmed thing till now is that the ex-Spanish monarch left the country on a private jet on Monday. Also read| Spain's former king Juan Carlos flees the country “We Catalans do not have a king and we do not want one,” Torra said. “What authority will we have to enforce the rules against corruption if we accept a royal family that escapes when they are investigated after taking millions and millions of euros in terrible business commissions?” Catalans have been looking for an opportunity to establish Catalonia Republic, and this has provided them with one of the best times to voice their opinion. Juan Carlos had been under fire in Spain and Switzerland over suspicions surrounding a multi-billion high-speed Saudi train contract won by Spanish firms, all of the allegations that had been declined by Carlos' representative.

Catalan parliament voices opinion against Juan Carlos' exile

Heavy police presence in central Barcelona on Saturday (October 19) following the worst night of urban unrest in decades on Friday

Catalonia Protest: Police brace for more unrest on sixth day of protests

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement.

As the Catalan capital echoed with the sound of sirens and masked youths staged running battles with riot police, Spain's Pedro Sanchez had made a direct appeal to Torra to "clearly condemn" the violence.&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, thousands gathered for a protest called by the radical CDR.&nbsp;

But as the evening wore on, the situation quickly became chaotic, with hundreds running through the streets, hurling broken paving stones, torching cars and occasionally stopping to take selfies in front of the burning barricades.&nbsp;

"This isn't violence, it's self-defence," roared a group of masked youngsters in front of a blazing barricade.&nbsp;

Some even threw Molotov cocktails, the regional police said, with scenes of violence also spreading to other cities in the region such as Tarragona and Leida, prompting the Catalan leader to give a televised address shortly after midnight.&nbsp;

"This has to stop right now," Torra said.&nbsp;

"There is no reason or justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism. Protest should be peaceful.

"We cannot allow such groups who infiltrate and provoke to harm the image of a movement which counts millions of Catalans," he added.&nbsp;

Breaking the silence

Until now, Torra has not made any comment on the violence which erupted on Monday just hours after the Supreme Court handed down heavy prison sentences to nine Catalan leaders for their role in the failed independence bid of 2017.&nbsp;

So far, Madrid has shown little appetite for taking matters into its own hands, despite the ongoing protests in Barcelona and elsewhere that have hit screens around the world as Catalan separatists have made their anger known.&nbsp;

The latest crisis began just over two years ago when Catalonia's separatist leaders held a banned referendum then issued a short-lived declaration of independence, prompting Madrid to sack its government and suspend the region's autonomy.&nbsp;

It also put 12 of its leaders on trial, nine of whom were condemned for sedition on Monday, and handed prison terms of between nine and 13 years.&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, as the crowds massed in central Barcelona, many began hurling toilet rolls into the air in response to a slogan by the movement saying there was "a lot of shit to clean up".

Street rage

"I'm just a bag of nerves," said Jose Ramon Garcia, one elderly local resident who had stepped out for a quiet drink and found himself caught up in the protests.&nbsp;

"I was just sitting calmly in the bar and suddenly the appeared from all directions," he told AFP. "And these are 'peaceful' demonstrators?"

Elsewhere an 18-year-old student with an independence flag around his shoulders said many had simply lost the will to protest peacefully.&nbsp;

"It's a reaction to what the police did on October 1 to shut down the referendum and against what the justice system did on Monday in condemning the separatist (leaders)," Bernat Busquet told AFP of the ill-fated referendum which was marred by violence.&nbsp;

Just hours after the verdict was announced, some 10,000 protesters swarmed Barcelona's El Prat airport, cutting off transport links and forcing the cancellation of more than 100 flights.&nbsp;

Riot police charged at the demonstrators on several occasions, firing foam rounds into the crowds, with the emergency services saying 115 people were injured, including a protester who lost sight in one eye. &nbsp;

A day later, hundreds of protesters, many of them masked, fought running battles with hundreds of riot police, hurling projectiles and torching barricades, with 125 demonstrators and 72 police officers injured, officials said.&nbsp;

The protests continued Wednesday, with thousands of people joining five mass marches from towns throughout the region heading for Barcelona, with the aim of causing chaos on the roads in one of Spain's most important economic regions, which is also a bottleneck for traffic with France and elsewhere in Europe.&nbsp;

The marchers plan to converge in Barcelona on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region.

The court ruling and sentences have thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years.

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement.

Catalan president Quim Torra called for an immediate halt to the violent clashes that rocked Barcelona for a third day Wednesday, warning they were harming the image of the separatist movement. As the Catalan capital echoed with the sound of sirens and masked youths staged running battles with riot police, Spain's Pedro Sanchez had made a direct appeal to Torra to "clearly condemn" the violence. Earlier on Wednesday, thousands gathered for a protest called by the radical CDR. But as the evening wore on, the situation quickly became chaotic, with hundreds running through the streets, hurling broken paving stones, torching cars and occasionally stopping to take selfies in front of the burning barricades. "This isn't violence, it's self-defence," roared a group of masked youngsters in front of a blazing barricade. Some even threw Molotov cocktails, the regional police said, with scenes of violence also spreading to other cities in the region such as Tarragona and Leida, prompting the Catalan leader to give a televised address shortly after midnight. "This has to stop right now," Torra said. "There is no reason or justification for burning cars, nor any other vandalism. Protest should be peaceful. "We cannot allow such groups who infiltrate and provoke to harm the image of a movement which counts millions of Catalans," he added. Breaking the silence Until now, Torra has not made any comment on the violence which erupted on Monday just hours after the Supreme Court handed down heavy prison sentences to nine Catalan leaders for their role in the failed independence bid of 2017. So far, Madrid has shown little appetite for taking matters into its own hands, despite the ongoing protests in Barcelona and elsewhere that have hit screens around the world as Catalan separatists have made their anger known. The latest crisis began just over two years ago when Catalonia's separatist leaders held a banned referendum then issued a short-lived declaration of independence, prompting Madrid to sack its government and suspend the region's autonomy. It also put 12 of its leaders on trial, nine of whom were condemned for sedition on Monday, and handed prison terms of between nine and 13 years. Earlier on Wednesday, as the crowds massed in central Barcelona, many began hurling toilet rolls into the air in response to a slogan by the movement saying there was "a lot of shit to clean up". Street rage "I'm just a bag of nerves," said Jose Ramon Garcia, one elderly local resident who had stepped out for a quiet drink and found himself caught up in the protests. "I was just sitting calmly in the bar and suddenly the appeared from all directions," he told AFP. "And these are 'peaceful' demonstrators?" Elsewhere an 18-year-old student with an independence flag around his shoulders said many had simply lost the will to protest peacefully. "It's a reaction to what the police did on October 1 to shut down the referendum and against what the justice system did on Monday in condemning the separatist (leaders)," Bernat Busquet told AFP of the ill-fated referendum which was marred by violence. Just hours after the verdict was announced, some 10,000 protesters swarmed Barcelona's El Prat airport, cutting off transport links and forcing the cancellation of more than 100 flights. Riot police charged at the demonstrators on several occasions, firing foam rounds into the crowds, with the emergency services saying 115 people were injured, including a protester who lost sight in one eye. A day later, hundreds of protesters, many of them masked, fought running battles with hundreds of riot police, hurling projectiles and torching barricades, with 125 demonstrators and 72 police officers injured, officials said. The protests continued Wednesday, with thousands of people joining five mass marches from towns throughout the region heading for Barcelona, with the aim of causing chaos on the roads in one of Spain's most important economic regions, which is also a bottleneck for traffic with France and elsewhere in Europe. The marchers plan to converge in Barcelona on Friday when unions have called a general strike in the region. The court ruling and sentences have thrust the Catalan dispute to the heart of the political debate ahead of Spain's November 10 general election, its fourth in as many years.

Violence 'must stop now', says Catalan President as Barcelona burns

In pictures: 'Seeking independence is not a crime,' Barcelona protesters say, take to streets demanding justice

Two jailed<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pardon-catalonian-separatists-hypothesis-pm-sanchez-167328"> Catalan separatist </a>leaders awaiting trial in a Spanish jail over their role in last year's failed independence bid began a hunger strike on Saturday, their lawyer said.

Jordi Sanchez, the former head of the influential grassroots ANC independence movement, and Jordi Turull, a former minister in the Catalan regional government, are taking this step to "raise awareness" of their unfair treatment by Spain's justice system, lawyer Jordi Pina told a news conference in Barcelona.

"I did not recommend this action, it is a decision of my clients and they have my full support," he added.

In a statement read by Pina, the two men accused Spain's Constitutional Court of blocking their appeals against their imprisonment from reaching the European Court of Human Rights.

Pina said he did not know if the five other Catalan separatist leaders jailed in the Lledoners penitentiary located some 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Barcelona would later join the hunger strike.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spain-supreme-court-orders-trial-of-former-catalan-leaders-173417">Spain's Supreme Court in October ordered a total of 18 former Catalan separatist leaders to stand trial </a>over last year's declaration of independence.

Prosecutors are seeking jail terms of up to 25 years on charges of rebellion or misuse of public funds over the failed secession bid.&nbsp;

The sensitive trial is expected to start in early 2019 and will focus on the attempt by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/catalans-march-on-streets-to-demand-break-from-spain-6227?amp">Catalan leaders </a>to break away from Spain in October 2017 by staging a referendum despite a court ban and subsequently proclaiming independence.

Nine of the separatists remain in pre-trial detention, including the seven at the Lledoners prison who have been in jail for the last eight to 13 months without trial.

Drastic measure'

The announcement of the hunger strike comes a day after the first photo of the seven jailed Catalan leaders at the Lledoners prison was released by grassroots pro-independence organisation Omnium Cultural.

The picture - which was splashed on the cover of Catalan newspapers on Saturday&nbsp;shows the seven men smiling and wearing casual clothes in one of the courtyards of the prison.

Omnium Cultural said it released the picture to send a message of "unity" ahead of the start of their trial.

In a statement, Catalan regional president Quim Torra expressed his "solidarity" with the two prisoners who began a hunger strike.

"This dramatic and drastic measure is being taken because of what we find to be the complete violation of citizens' rights, civil and political rights, and of respect for the legal process. It's my personal view that penal law is being used for vengeance," he added.

Spain's central government repeated its argument that the jailed Catalan separatist leaders would have a fair trial and their rights were being respected.

"We operate under the rule of law, we can respect their personal decision (to go on a hunger strike) but we must also understand that we are all equal under the rule of law," Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo told reporters.

Two jailed Catalan separatist leaders awaiting trial in a Spanish jail over their role in last year's failed independence bid began a hunger strike on Saturday, their lawyer said.

Two jailed Catalan separatist leaders awaiting trial in a Spanish jail over their role in last year's failed independence bid began a hunger strike on Saturday, their lawyer said. Jordi Sanchez, the former head of the influential grassroots ANC independence movement, and Jordi Turull, a former minister in the Catalan regional government, are taking this step to "raise awareness" of their unfair treatment by Spain's justice system, lawyer Jordi Pina told a news conference in Barcelona. "I did not recommend this action, it is a decision of my clients and they have my full support," he added. In a statement read by Pina, the two men accused Spain's Constitutional Court of blocking their appeals against their imprisonment from reaching the European Court of Human Rights. Pina said he did not know if the five other Catalan separatist leaders jailed in the Lledoners penitentiary located some 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Barcelona would later join the hunger strike. Spain's Supreme Court in October ordered a total of 18 former Catalan separatist leaders to stand trial over last year's declaration of independence. Prosecutors are seeking jail terms of up to 25 years on charges of rebellion or misuse of public funds over the failed secession bid. The sensitive trial is expected to start in early 2019 and will focus on the attempt by Catalan leaders to break away from Spain in October 2017 by staging a referendum despite a court ban and subsequently proclaiming independence. Nine of the separatists remain in pre-trial detention, including the seven at the Lledoners prison who have been in jail for the last eight to 13 months without trial. Drastic measure' The announcement of the hunger strike comes a day after the first photo of the seven jailed Catalan leaders at the Lledoners prison was released by grassroots pro-independence organisation Omnium Cultural. The picture - which was splashed on the cover of Catalan newspapers on Saturday shows the seven men smiling and wearing casual clothes in one of the courtyards of the prison. Omnium Cultural said it released the picture to send a message of "unity" ahead of the start of their trial. In a statement, Catalan regional president Quim Torra expressed his "solidarity" with the two prisoners who began a hunger strike. "This dramatic and drastic measure is being taken because of what we find to be the complete violation of citizens' rights, civil and political rights, and of respect for the legal process. It's my personal view that penal law is being used for vengeance," he added. Spain's central government repeated its argument that the jailed Catalan separatist leaders would have a fair trial and their rights were being respected. "We operate under the rule of law, we can respect their personal decision (to go on a hunger strike) but we must also understand that we are all equal under the rule of law," Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo told reporters.

Two jailed Catalan separatist leaders start hunger strike

Catalonia's separatist president on Tuesday nominated an administration without jailed and exiled former ministers who backed its independence push, paving the way for Madrid to end its direct rule over the northeastern region.

Spain's central government earlier this month recognised the powers of newly elected Catalan leader Quim Torra but refused to ratify his choice of councillors because four of them are facing charges linked to last year's independence drive, calling their nomination "a new provocation".

Two of the four men are in custody awaiting trial at a jail near Madrid, while the other two are in self-imposed exile in Belgium.

The row has prolonged the political impasse in the wealthy northeastern region of Spain, which has been without a government since Madrid in October sacked the Catalan government and imposed direct rule over Catalonia following a failed declaration of independence.

Under the terms of emergency legislation brought in to take over the Catalan administration, Madrid must lift direct rule once a Catalan government is fully formed and cabinet members are sworn in.

Torra, a hardline separatist, late on Tuesday "signed a new decree to form a government in Catalonia", his office said in a statement.&nbsp;

The 13 councillors whom he nominated did not include the four jailed or exiled former ministers from ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont's government.

The four men agreed with Torra's decision to nominate a new administration that no longer includes them as they "have always wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem" and want a new Catalan government to be formed "as soon as possible", the statement added.

Torra has been under pressure from some segments of his own separatist camp to adopt a more conciliatory stance to allow a new Catalan government to take office and end Madrid's direct rule.

Accept reality

Ines Arrimadas, the leader of Ciudadanos, the main opposition party in Catalonia which wants the region to remain a part of Spain, accused Torra of nominating the four men even though he knew they would not become his councillors "to continue the conflict" with Madrid.

"He should accept reality, respect all Catalans and govern within a democratic framework but he will not do it," she added in a Twitter message.

Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence, was chosen by Puigdemont to be Catalonia's next leader after separatist parties kept their absolute majority in regional elections in December.

The election result was a severe blow to the Spanish government which had called the polls in the hope of heading off the secessionist push in the region, which is home to around 7.5 million people and is about the size of Belgium.

Puigdemont is currently in Berlin awaiting potential extradition to Spain, where he faces jail on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds.

In a brief swearing-in ceremony on May 17, Torra promised to "loyally fulfil the duties of the post of regional president being faithful to the will of the Catalan people represented by the Catalan parliament", but he did not promise to obey the Spanish constitution.

While the pro-independence movement has grown in strength over the years, the region remains deeply divided on the issue.

Catalonia is a major engine for growth, accounting for around 19 percent of the country's GDP, and the confrontation has sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

Catalonia's separatist president on Tuesday nominated an administration without jailed and exiled former ministers who backed its independence push, paving the way for Madrid to end its direct rule over the northeastern region

Catalonia's separatist president on Tuesday nominated an administration without jailed and exiled former ministers who backed its independence push, paving the way for Madrid to end its direct rule over the northeastern region. Spain's central government earlier this month recognised the powers of newly elected Catalan leader Quim Torra but refused to ratify his choice of councillors because four of them are facing charges linked to last year's independence drive, calling their nomination "a new provocation". Two of the four men are in custody awaiting trial at a jail near Madrid, while the other two are in self-imposed exile in Belgium. The row has prolonged the political impasse in the wealthy northeastern region of Spain, which has been without a government since Madrid in October sacked the Catalan government and imposed direct rule over Catalonia following a failed declaration of independence. Under the terms of emergency legislation brought in to take over the Catalan administration, Madrid must lift direct rule once a Catalan government is fully formed and cabinet members are sworn in. Torra, a hardline separatist, late on Tuesday "signed a new decree to form a government in Catalonia", his office said in a statement. The 13 councillors whom he nominated did not include the four jailed or exiled former ministers from ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont's government. The four men agreed with Torra's decision to nominate a new administration that no longer includes them as they "have always wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem" and want a new Catalan government to be formed "as soon as possible", the statement added. Torra has been under pressure from some segments of his own separatist camp to adopt a more conciliatory stance to allow a new Catalan government to take office and end Madrid's direct rule. Accept reality Ines Arrimadas, the leader of Ciudadanos, the main opposition party in Catalonia which wants the region to remain a part of Spain, accused Torra of nominating the four men even though he knew they would not become his councillors "to continue the conflict" with Madrid. "He should accept reality, respect all Catalans and govern within a democratic framework but he will not do it," she added in a Twitter message. Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence, was chosen by Puigdemont to be Catalonia's next leader after separatist parties kept their absolute majority in regional elections in December. The election result was a severe blow to the Spanish government which had called the polls in the hope of heading off the secessionist push in the region, which is home to around 7.5 million people and is about the size of Belgium. Puigdemont is currently in Berlin awaiting potential extradition to Spain, where he faces jail on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds. In a brief swearing-in ceremony on May 17, Torra promised to "loyally fulfil the duties of the post of regional president being faithful to the will of the Catalan people represented by the Catalan parliament", but he did not promise to obey the Spanish constitution. While the pro-independence movement has grown in strength over the years, the region remains deeply divided on the issue. Catalonia is a major engine for growth, accounting for around 19 percent of the country's GDP, and the confrontation has sparked Spain's worst political crisis in decades.

Catalan president forms government without jailed, exiled ministers

Catalonia's new president Quim Torra on Saturday named two former ministers, jailed by Madrid for backing independence from Spain, together with two others who fled into exile, to his regional government.

Torra appointed his government by decree but it could still be blocked by Spain, which has insisted his administration be "legal and viable" after it imposed direct rule on the region in October when the then Catalan government declared independence.

Torra named 13 "advisors" to his government, including Jordi Turull and Josep Rull who are currently being held in custody just outside Madrid.

Two others, Toni Comin and Lluis Puig, are in exile in Belgium, where they fled with deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.&nbsp;

Turull and Rull both accepted their nominations on Twitter.

Torra was elected by the Catalan parliament on Monday and sworn in Thursday, in a move that marks the end of nearly seven months of political limbo in the northeastern Spanish region, which has been under direct rule from Madrid since the central government deposed Puigdemont following a failed declaration of independence on October 27.

Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence, described himself as a "caretaker president" as he awaits the return of Puigdemont, whom he considers the "legitimate" leader.&nbsp;

Puigdemont, who first fled to Belgium, was detained in Germany in March after Spain issued a European arrest warrant against him.

Madrid wants him extradited to Spain to try him on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional.

A German court last month dismissed the extradition request for Puigdemont on the rebellion allegations and released him on bail.

Spanish prosecutors have since handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence, to justify the rebellion charge and their extradition request.

Quim Torra was sworn in as Catalonia's new leader bringing an end to seven months of direct rule from Madrid but political uncertainty remained same as the hard-line separatist continues his fight to split from Spain

Catalonia's new president Quim Torra on Saturday named two former ministers, jailed by Madrid for backing independence from Spain, together with two others who fled into exile, to his regional government. Torra appointed his government by decree but it could still be blocked by Spain, which has insisted his administration be "legal and viable" after it imposed direct rule on the region in October when the then Catalan government declared independence. Torra named 13 "advisors" to his government, including Jordi Turull and Josep Rull who are currently being held in custody just outside Madrid. Two others, Toni Comin and Lluis Puig, are in exile in Belgium, where they fled with deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont. Turull and Rull both accepted their nominations on Twitter. Torra was elected by the Catalan parliament on Monday and sworn in Thursday, in a move that marks the end of nearly seven months of political limbo in the northeastern Spanish region, which has been under direct rule from Madrid since the central government deposed Puigdemont following a failed declaration of independence on October 27. Torra, a 55-year-old editor who has long campaigned for independence, described himself as a "caretaker president" as he awaits the return of Puigdemont, whom he considers the "legitimate" leader. Puigdemont, who first fled to Belgium, was detained in Germany in March after Spain issued a European arrest warrant against him. Madrid wants him extradited to Spain to try him on charges of rebellion and misuse of public funds for staging an independence referendum in Catalonia on October 1 even though the courts had ruled it unconstitutional. A German court last month dismissed the extradition request for Puigdemont on the rebellion allegations and released him on bail. Spanish prosecutors have since handed over new information to Germany they hope will prove the use of violence, to justify the rebellion charge and their extradition request.

New Catalonia President includes jailed, exiled leaders in government

New Catalan leader Quim Torra on Thursday (May 17) was sworn in as Catalonia's new leader bringing an end to seven months of direct rule from Madrid but heralding more political uncertainty as the hard-line separatist continues his fight to split from Spain.

The Catalan parliament voted in Torra on Monday (May 14) by 66 votes to 65 amid accusations of xenophobia from opposition pro-unity parties who reminded the new leader of past tweets and articles where he refers to Spaniards in a negative light, leading Torra to apologise in parliament.

His election was made possible by the abstention of the pro-independence, anti-capitalist party CUP.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy imposed direct rule on the region after the previous administration, led by Carles Puigdemont, declared independence in October.

Under the terms of the legislation, Madrid will lift its intervention once the Catalan government is fully formed and members of cabinet named.

His election was made possible by the abstention of the pro-independence, anti-capitalist party CUP

New Catalan leader Quim Torra on Thursday (May 17) was sworn in as Catalonia's new leader bringing an end to seven months of direct rule from Madrid but heralding more political uncertainty as the hard-line separatist continues his fight to split from Spain. The Catalan parliament voted in Torra on Monday (May 14) by 66 votes to 65 amid accusations of xenophobia from opposition pro-unity parties who reminded the new leader of past tweets and articles where he refers to Spaniards in a negative light, leading Torra to apologise in parliament. His election was made possible by the abstention of the pro-independence, anti-capitalist party CUP. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy imposed direct rule on the region after the previous administration, led by Carles Puigdemont, declared independence in October. Under the terms of the legislation, Madrid will lift its intervention once the Catalan government is fully formed and members of cabinet named.

Quim Torra sworn in as new Catalan leader

Quim Torra, an editor who was appointed Catalan president Monday after being chosen by ousted regional leader Carles Puigdemont as his successor, is a relative newcomer to politics but has long been a staunch separatist.

While the 55-year-old father of three has only been a lawmaker since December, the man Puigdemont named as his preferred candidate to form a regional government is a dyed-in-the-wool independence advocate cut from the same cloth.

"Long live a free Catalonia," he said after scraping through a vote to appoint him in the regional parliament, where he promised to keep fighting for an independent republic.

He acknowledged his was a "provisional" posting while he awaits the return of his "legitimate president-in-exile", Puigdemont, who is currently in Germany waiting for a court decision on whether to extradite him to Spain where he faces jail on rebellion charges.

Labelled Puigdemont's "puppet" by critics, Torra is determined to keep going despite the failure of Catalonia's secession bid last October.

He is not linked to any separatist parties, and as such Puigdemont has chosen "a hardliner... who will only answer to him," says Oriol Bartomeus, politics professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Accused of being a 'supremacist'

After a decade of activism for Catalonia, presiding over groups such as the influential pro-independence Omnium Cultural, Torra was elected a lawmaker in December as part of Puigdemont's list Together for Catalonia.

His warm, polite demeanour contrasts strongly with the tone of some of his past writings or tweets -- as revealed by opposition parties -- which his critics say show he is an "ultranationalist" and "supremacist."

In a series of articles published in online media, for instance, he said it wasn't "natural" to speak Spanish in Catalonia. He also described Spain as "a country that exports misery" and slammed those who don't defend the Catalan language and culture as "scavengers, vipers and hyenas."

He also said a new armed uprising was "necessary," just like the one Francesc Macia, Catalan president from 1931 to 1933, planned in 1926 against the military dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera.

A tweet he posted in 2012 also said: "Spaniards only know how to plunder."

"His ideology is perfectly clear," Ines Arrimadas, the leader in Catalonia of the centre-right, anti-independence Ciudadanos party, said Monday.

"He defends xenophobia, he defends a discriminatory identity."

Torra retorted he was sorry that "some tweets taken out of context, aimed at the state government, may have offended people" -- his third apology since he became a candidate.

Defender of Catalan culture

A native of the Catalan town of Blanes, on the Costa Brava, Torra has been a cultural figure over the last decade.

After a long career with the Swiss insurance firm Winterthur, Torra used a severance package to set up a publishing house in 2008.

There he specialised in reviving texts by Catalan journalists from the civil war and Francisco Franco's dictatorship, which severely repressed Catalonia among other regions.

He soon made a name for himself in Catalan nationalist circles, joining various separatist organisations, including those that helped organise the huge rallies that eventually led to last year's independence push and subsequent political crisis.

Until 2015 he also managed a cultural centre in Barcelona's El Born district which became notorious for pushing for independence.

Torra has said he will adorn the regional government building in central Barcelona with a yellow ribbon, the colour used by separatists to protest on behalf of nine leaders held in jail on rebellion charges.

Quim Torra, an editor who was appointed Catalan president Monday after being chosen by ousted regional leader Carles Puigdemont as his successor

Quim Torra, an editor who was appointed Catalan president Monday after being chosen by ousted regional leader Carles Puigdemont as his successor, is a relative newcomer to politics but has long been a staunch separatist. While the 55-year-old father of three has only been a lawmaker since December, the man Puigdemont named as his preferred candidate to form a regional government is a dyed-in-the-wool independence advocate cut from the same cloth. "Long live a free Catalonia," he said after scraping through a vote to appoint him in the regional parliament, where he promised to keep fighting for an independent republic. He acknowledged his was a "provisional" posting while he awaits the return of his "legitimate president-in-exile", Puigdemont, who is currently in Germany waiting for a court decision on whether to extradite him to Spain where he faces jail on rebellion charges. Labelled Puigdemont's "puppet" by critics, Torra is determined to keep going despite the failure of Catalonia's secession bid last October. He is not linked to any separatist parties, and as such Puigdemont has chosen "a hardliner... who will only answer to him," says Oriol Bartomeus, politics professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. Accused of being a 'supremacist' After a decade of activism for Catalonia, presiding over groups such as the influential pro-independence Omnium Cultural, Torra was elected a lawmaker in December as part of Puigdemont's list Together for Catalonia. His warm, polite demeanour contrasts strongly with the tone of some of his past writings or tweets -- as revealed by opposition parties -- which his critics say show he is an "ultranationalist" and "supremacist." In a series of articles published in online media, for instance, he said it wasn't "natural" to speak Spanish in Catalonia. He also described Spain as "a country that exports misery" and slammed those who don't defend the Catalan language and culture as "scavengers, vipers and hyenas." He also said a new armed uprising was "necessary," just like the one Francesc Macia, Catalan president from 1931 to 1933, planned in 1926 against the military dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera. A tweet he posted in 2012 also said: "Spaniards only know how to plunder." "His ideology is perfectly clear," Ines Arrimadas, the leader in Catalonia of the centre-right, anti-independence Ciudadanos party, said Monday. "He defends xenophobia, he defends a discriminatory identity." Torra retorted he was sorry that "some tweets taken out of context, aimed at the state government, may have offended people" -- his third apology since he became a candidate. Defender of Catalan culture A native of the Catalan town of Blanes, on the Costa Brava, Torra has been a cultural figure over the last decade. After a long career with the Swiss insurance firm Winterthur, Torra used a severance package to set up a publishing house in 2008. There he specialised in reviving texts by Catalan journalists from the civil war and Francisco Franco's dictatorship, which severely repressed Catalonia among other regions. He soon made a name for himself in Catalan nationalist circles, joining various separatist organisations, including those that helped organise the huge rallies that eventually led to last year's independence push and subsequent political crisis. Until 2015 he also managed a cultural centre in Barcelona's El Born district which became notorious for pushing for independence. Torra has said he will adorn the regional government building in central Barcelona with a yellow ribbon, the colour used by separatists to protest on behalf of nine leaders held in jail on rebellion charges.

Catalonia's new leader a political rookie well versed in independence

quim-torra

Quim Torra, News on Quim Torra, stories on Quim Torra, articles on Quim Torra, Quim Torra stories at Wion, Quim Torra news, Quim Torra latest news

quim torra