Catalonia: Illa becomes Prime Minister
The Catalan Parliament in Barcelona has elected Socialist Salvador Illa as the new president of the prosperous region in northeastern Spain. The 58-year-old received 68 votes, including 20 from the left, moderate separatist party ERC, and six from the left-green group Comuns. 66 votes were against, according to Parliament President Josep Rull, as seen on the state TV channel RTVE. Spanish media hailed Illa's election as a fresh start for the region, which has been shaken by independence demands for over a decade.
However, Illa's historic election was overshadowed by the return of separatist leader Carles Puigdemont after nearly seven years in exile. The 61-year-old, who has a warrant out for his arrest, appeared in central Barcelona, gave a speech to supporters, and then vanished without a trace. Puigdemont apparently evaded police who tried to detain him, with the help of two officers, one of whom provided their car, according to several media outlets citing police sources. Puigdemont's plans from his underground location were initially unknown.
Despite the excitement surrounding Illa's election as a fresh start for the region, the return of separatist leader Carles Puigdemont has added a new layer of complexity. This fresh start may require Illa to navigate the political landscape carefully, considering Puigdemont's returned presence and the ongoing independence demands.
