Far left suggests that president keep part of his functions if disqualified

The far-left CUP party has suggested that the Catalan president, Quim Torra, retain part of his functions even if the Supreme Court confirms his disqualification and removes him from power.

On Tuesday, the pro-independence political group said that Torra could still carry out his representative and institutional duties, while delegating the necessary administrative tasks – like signing official documents – in order to avoid legal action.

According to CUP, this should last from the moment Torra is ousted until the next election.

For this plan to work, said the far-left MP Carles Riera, it is "essential" that the date of the early vote is agreed within the independence camp – indeed, the CUP politician believes that "this term is over" and an early vote has to be called.

"We have to defend democratically the country's institutionality," Riera said.

Precedent: the mayor of Berga

The mayor of Berga, in northern Catalonia, Montserrat Venturós, was disqualified in 2018 for failing to remove a pro-independence flag in the town hall ahead of two 2015 elections.

The local politician, a member of CUP, was ousted for six months, only to see her post restored after the 2019 local election, but in the meantime she acted as mayor at events, while avoiding signing official documents.

The Catalan government has not taken sides on the proposal: "It is Torra who has to decide the strategy in the event of his disqualification," said the cabinet spokesperson, Meritxell Budó.

Unionists call proposal 'insanity' and 'symbolic invention'

The unionist opposition parties rejected the proposal, and the Socialists called it "symbolic invention."

For them, the 'Venturós way' proposed by CUP would lead to "a discrediting of Catalonia's presidency and a political split between Catalans."

As for Ciudadanos, this idea is "another insanity in the circus of insanities."

The party's MP Nacho Martín Blanco believes that it is "crazy" that Torra wants to stay in post even after being ousted, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic.