Debate on Aragonès' presidential bid, doomed to fail, now underway - live updates
Pro-independence Junts' abstention disrupts formation of new government but talks continue
The debate on Esquerra's Pere Aragonès' presidential bid in parliament opened on Friday at 10 am. Although, after almost half a year with an interim government, Catalonia will continue without a new executive – at least for now.
Aragonès' bid will inevitably fail in the first round of votes to be held on Friday evening since fellow pro-independence Junts announced that they will abstain. The second round of voting will be held either on Sunday or Tuesday, but if Aragonès wants to succeed, he will have to persuade his current government senior coalition partner to exchange roles in the coming term.
Earlier on Thursday, the anti-capitalist CUP had confirmed its Yes vote on Esquerra's figurehead – but their nine seats will not be enough to garner a majority. While the far-left pro-independence force reached a deal with Aragonès' party, talks are still underway with Junts.
Follow the latest developments live