- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

New Catalan Leader Carles Puigdemont Sworn in Amid Secession Drive

© REUTERS / Albert GeaIncoming Catalan President Carles Puigdemont (C) adjusts his jacket during the investiture session at the Catalunya Parliament in Barcelona, Spain, January 10, 2016
Incoming Catalan President Carles Puigdemont (C) adjusts his jacket during the investiture session at the Catalunya Parliament in Barcelona, Spain, January 10, 2016 - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Catalonia’s new leader Carles Puigdemont was sworn in on Tuesday as the head of government of the northern Spanish region.

People wait for the start of the investiture session at the Catalunya Parliament in Barcelona, Spain, January 10, 2016 - Sputnik International
Spain May Suspend Catalan Autonomy Amid Secession Drive
MADRID (Sputnik) — Puigdemont, who supports Catalonia's secession from Spain, took the oath of office at the historic Palau de la Generalitat in the Catalan capital of Barcelona before a crowd of some 400 people.

"We must change the instruments that we have," the 130th president of the Catalan Generalitat announced. "We have been neglected by the government and, therefore, we need our own instruments."

Puigdemont’s predecessor Artur Mas attended the inauguration ceremony that was broadcast live by the local 24 Horas television channel.

The former mayor of the Catalan city Girona was voted in as the leader of the affluent autonomous province on Sunday after Mas withdrew his nomination for the regional presidency.

Puigdemont has pledged to continue pushing for Catalonia’s independence and rolled out a roadmap for secession within 18 months, despite repeated warnings from Madrid that the central government would go all-out against the region in a legal battle.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала