Quim Torra, an outspoken secessionist who took office as Catalan president last week, announced the names of his 13 ministers on Saturday. “The one prolonging article 155 is Mr Torra,” he said, claiming that there was an institutional vacuum in Catalonia. But Mr Torra was unrepentant on Monday as he visited Mr Turull, Mr Rull and other pro-independence politicians in Estremera jail, near Madrid. Designated postsHe added that Mr Turull and Mr Rull had confirmed their determination to take up their designated posts and that they have asked the supreme court to grant them leave in order to attend their swearing-in ceremonies. Protests against article 155 were staged in Barcelona, Lleida and other cities across Catalonia on Monday evening.

Source: The Irish Times May 21, 2018 19:18 UTC