The future government of Spain’s restive Catalonia region is in the hands of a man spending his nights in a prison cell for sedition. He devotes much of that time, in and outside, to leading the Republican Left of Catalonia, the party now positioned to choose its governing partners after this weekend’s inconclusive regional election boosted the separatists’ power. Republican Left of Catalonia tied the Socialists in seats, with both set to send 33 lawmakers each to the regional legislature. The far-right Vox party, with its unabashed hardline stance against Catalan secession and illegal immigration, confirmed its ascendancy across Spain by entering the Catalan parliament with an impressive 11 seats. If it does not lead to his downfall, then it will at least put his leadership in doubt.”

Source: Los Angeles Times February 15, 2021 20:03 UTC