News / EU

Catalan separatists fail to form government: Media

Sunday, 03 January 2016 6:18 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 03 January 2016 6:18 PM ]

A picture taken on September 25, 2015 shows pro-independence Catalan people waving Catalan independence flags (Estelada) during a rally. (AFP photo)

A Catalan separatist party in Spain has decided not to support a new regional government, leading the region to fresh vote, local media report.

Spanish media reported on Sunday that President Artur Mas could not form the new government as the far-left secessionist CUP party refused to support it.

The “Together for Yes” coalition won 62 seats out of 135 in the Catalan parliament in regional elections on September 27. The Alliance, however, needed the support of the CUP, that won 10 seats, to form a new government before a January 9 deadline.

The two parties approved a resolution in November last year that urges the regional assembly to start working on legislation within 30 days in order to create a treasury and social security system as part of a wider plan to complete independence in 18 months.

The CUP, however, repeatedly refused to support Mas’s return to power due to his austerity policies over the past few years and his party’s connection to corruption scandals. The far-left party is an anti-capitalist party and is against NATO and EU membership.

The Together for Yes presented its final proposal to the CUP for the formation of the government in December. The proposal includes a plan to give one percent of the Catalan budget for school meals of poor children and help homeowners who face eviction.

The proposal, however, did not meet the CUP’s main demand, which is appointing a new president to lead the next government.

The Catalan parliament should elect a leader and form a new government before January 9, or fresh elections should be called.

In November 2014, Catalonia staged a symbolic independence referendum after authorities in Madrid blocked a bid to hold an official poll.

Nearly 80 percent of the 2.2 million people who took part in the vote backed independence, though the turnout was slightly more than 40 percent.

Many Catalans believe their economy would be more prosperous on its own, complaining that a high portion of their taxes goes to the central government.

Home to nearly 7.5 million people, Catalonia’s productivity makes up around a fifth of Spain's gross domestic product (GDP).

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