new government

Radical left pro-independence CUP have repeatedly insisted that they won't instate Mas as Catalan President. However, this Thursday, for the first time since the negotiations with cross-party list 'Junts Pel Sï' began, CUP didn't urge their pro-independence partner to propose an alternative candidate for president. The radical left party did remind everyone that they are still waiting for "a new proposal" from 'Junts Pel Sí' which would have to contain "substantial changes" regarding "the what, the how and the when" but didn't specify anything about who will have to lead the new government. CUP assured that once they receive the new proposal they will put it to vote amongst their members in an extraordinary assembly, probably to be held on the 29^th of November, once they have completed an internal consultation process with all the territorial factions. 

Employers’ association CECOT's president, Antoni Abad, warned of the economic "instability" that political "stagnation" may cause and expressed his "wish" for Catalonia to constitute a new government "as soon as possible". "We can't continue like this" he stated "98% of CECOT associates refuse the status quo". Abad made these statements this Wednesday at a meeting with Parliament's President, Carme Forcadell, whom in turn assured that she is "hopeful" regarding pro-independence forces 'Junts Pel Sí' and CUP’s negotiations. Abad also asked the government to "facilitate" growth of the Catalan business sector and improve its funding system. CECOT's president also confirmed to Forcadell that Catalonia's economy is recovering in terms of employment and internationalisation capability.

For the first time in the Parliament's history, a candidate for President hasn't obtained a majority in the second round. This Thursday, 73 MPs from the 135 in the Catalan chamber refused to re-elect current President Artur Mas, which is exactly the same result that the candidate got in the first round of the investiture debate. The only MPs who supported Mas' candidacy were the 62 of the pro-independence cross-party list, 'Junts Pel Sí'. Their partner in the roadmap towards independence, radical left CUP, repeated their 'no' to Mas, as they repeatedly announced they would. In the following weeks, the parliamentary groups will hold meetings to choose an alternative candidate, but if one is not chosen before the 10^th of January, the Parliament will have to call elections again.

Finally, after having tried in 2003 and 2006, Artur Mas is invested President of the Catalan Government. The economist has been working in the public sector since 1982. He was a type of Catalan Prime Minister between 2001 and 2003, in the last government of the CiU’s historic leader Jordi Pujol. In fact, Pujol elected Mas as his successor, an image that Mas finally abandoned. During these 7 years leading the opposition, Mas built his own profile and is perceived as a serious, efficient and moderate politician.