Editorial photo #993109

Catalonia Independence President Investiture

Carles Puigdemont of Junts Pel Si party and candidate for president to the Catalan Parliament addresses to parliamentarians during the investiture debate in Barcelona, Spain on 10 January, 2016. After three months of negotiations the two separatist formations in the Catalan Parliament Junts Pel Si (Together For Yes) and anti-capitalist party CUP (Popular Unity Candidacy) have reached an agreement for the investiture of a president. This agreement allows the formation of a majority government independentist to work the next 18 months for the declaration of a Catalan Republic. Acting regional president Artur Mas named Carles Puigdemont as his replacement, ending three months of deadlock between Mas’s secessionist alliance and the far-left CUP party. (Photo by Jordi Boixareu/NurPhoto)