Intense January in Catalan politics ahead

The pro-independence parties won in the December 21 election. With this new majority in the Catalan parliament, under ordinary circumstances this would mean a new president of the chamber taking office within weeks, and short negotiations among parties to appoint a new Catalan president and government. On January 17, the new term officially starts in the Catalan parliament, a date unprecedentedly set by the Spanish president, Mariano Rajoy. Its constitutive session is expected to appoint a new president and bureau for the chamber. Yet this is not going to be that straightforward for the parties in favour of a Catalan state.