Laura Vilagrà named new vice-president of Catalonia

Catalan president Pere Aragonès has appointed Laura Vilagrà, until now the presidency minister, as the new vice-president of the executive.

In addition, Sergi Sabrià will be the new deputy minister for strategy and government communication.

Aragonès made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the changes strengthen the "already existing" structure of the executive.

Vilagrà's role as vice president means will be relatively seamless, Aragonès explained, as it is a role she has "already carried out for the most part" in her post as presidency minister.

The president stated that months of "talking and negotiating" lie ahead, both within Spanish and Catalan institutions, and therefore Vilagrà will be able to take on these responsibilities "easier" as vice president, rather than head of a ministry.

Likewise, the president warned opposition parties that they can "give up all hope" of sowing doubts about early elections: "We will complete the mandate," Aragonès added. "And if anyone has any doubts, the decisions announced today finish off any hopes that the opposition may have had."

With the changes, Aragonès says it is confirmed that the government has the will to work to "get the job done until the last day."

The leader of the executive said that his is a "government of certainties" and that, despite the parliamentary difficulties, he has been able to approve all budgets so far.