MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On January 3, Mas and his pro-independence Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) coalition failed to reach an agreement with Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) party after CUP decided not to support the regional government led by Mas. The move paves the way for the dissolution of parliament and a new election.
According to The Spain Report news website, Mas vowed to sign a decree calling new elections on Monday if the parties fail to secure an agreement by the Sunday deadline.
Mas' Junts pel Si clinched 62 seats out of 135 in the Catalan Parliament in last September’s elections but it needs the support of CUP, which gained 10 seats, to form the government.
Catalonia has long sought independence from Spain, but the Spanish government has repeatedly and forcefully declined Catalonia’s right to independence.
