Pro-secession parties losing time to pick Catalonia's leader

By JOSEPH WILSON

Published May 12, 2018

Catalonia's separatists have failed to elect a new leader for the restive Spanish region, likely leaving them with one more chance to form a government before a new election is called.

Candidate Quim Torra fell short on Saturday of the absolute majority of 68 votes needed to be elected in the first round. Torra, a fervent secessionist, will have another chance during a second round on Monday, when only a simple majority of more "yes" than "no" votes is required.

In-fighting among separatist parties left Quim two votes short. Four members of the radical far-left CUP party abstained.

The party plans to decide Sunday how its lawmakers will vote during the second round.

Catalonia's pro-independence parties risk an election being automatically triggered if they don't form a government by May 22.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/pro-secession-parties-losing-time-to-pick-catalonias-leader