Far-right pro-independence mayor loses council vote of confidence

Sílvia Orriols, the prominent far-right pro-independence MP, has lost a vote of confidence in her position as mayor of Ripoll. 

Opposition parties now have 30 days to name her successor as leader of the local council and form a government.

Only the six councilors from her party voted in favor, while the ten from the opposition voted against.

In her speech, Orriols accused the opposition of not defending Ripoll and of having as their "sole objective" to overthrow the government they lead.

"It is not the city that has united them but the visceral hatred they have for me," she said, adding: "They can form a government of concentration, all against one. It is legal, but not legitimate."

This evening's plenary session was followed in person by more than a hundred locals, who when the session ended chanted 'Sílvia, mayor'.

Her party, Aliança Catalana, won two seats in the last Catalan election, held last May, for the first time.