All incarcerated leaders urge new government, says Catalan jailed VP

The Catalan jailed deposed vice president, Oriol Junqueras, urges the swearing in of a new president and the formation of a new government in Catalonia. The outcome of the last Catalan election, held on December 21, 2017, was a new pro-independence majority, and Junqueras, also leader of Esquerra party, does not want to risk it. If no Catalan president is elected by May 22, a snap election will automatically be held.

"I do not understand the sense of wasting the December 21 result and not making the most of it. All imprisoned leaders who I have been able to speak to agree that a new government needs to be formed," he said in a written answer to an interview with the Catalan public radio.

"Without forming a government we win nothing and we risk a lot in order to end up in the same situation in the best case scenario," emphasized Junqueras. He urges a prompt move also in order to put an end to the direct rule of Catalonia from Madrid. The Spanish government has pledged that once the country has a new executive, the suspension of self-rule will be lifted. The unprecedented measure has been in force for six months and counting.