30-Mar-21: 'Aragonès' presidency bid blocked again by second Junts abstention'

<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-01f658c9-7fff-1ec5-5dfb-64772ee5915a"><span>Disagreements between the two mainstream pro-independence parties shown today here in parliament mean that the interim Catalan government will continue. Junts abstained in the presidential bid of fellow government partner Esquerra's Pere Aragon&egrave;s &ndash; again.</span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Pere Aragon&egrave;s' presidential bid failed for a second time today after Junts' abstention. Esquerra is skeptical about granting a watchdog role on his cabinet to Puigdemont's private organization &ndash; something the former president's party denies. </span><span>Junts also says the social deal between Esquerra and CUP is far from their stance.</span><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>A Spanish government decision on whether to pardon the jailed independence leaders is nearing. The Supreme Court now has all the reports to issue its non-binding opinion before the cabinet's final move.</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Pablo Iglesias, Podemos' leader, stepped down as Spanish vice president today &ndash; party members Yolanda D&iacute;az and Ione Belarra are replacing him.</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Spain tightened the obligation to wear face masks &ndash; now in all public spaces and even when social distancing. Also, on beaches and pools, something not in application in Catalonia until now.</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>The first police checks at the northern border took place this morning after Spain's requirement of a negative PCR test from travelers crossing the land border came into force.</span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-38c6e3eb-7fff-d160-8f90-1e59771f6921"><span>A metal monolith has appeared on Sa Conca beach, in Costa Brava. Such mysterious objects have popped up all over the world in the past few months.</span></span></p> <p><span><span>&nbsp;</span></span></p> / ACN

ACN

March 30, 2021 08:32 PM